[United States Government Manual]
[May 30, 1997]
[Pages 649-652]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092
Phone, 312-751-4776. Fax, 312-751-7154

Office of Legislative Affairs: Suite 500, 1310 G Street NW., Washington, 
DC 20005-3004

Phone, 202-272-7742. Fax, 202-272-7728
Chairman                                          Glen L. Bower
Labor Member                                      V.M. Speakman, Jr.
Management Member                                 Jerome F. Kever
Inspector General                                 Martin J. Dickman
General Counsel                                   Catherine C. Cook
    Deputy General Counsel                        Steven A. Bartholow
    Director, Hearings and Appeals                Dale G. Zimmerman
    Director, Legislative Affairs                 Marian P. Gibson
Director, Programs                                Bobby V. Ferguson
    Director, Assessment and Training             Catherine A. Leyser
    Director, Field Service                       Ronald J. Dammon
    Director, Operations                          Robert J. Duda
    Director, Policy and Systems                  John L. Thoresdale
    Director, Resource Management Center          Martha M. Barringer
Director, Administration                          Kenneth P. Boehne
    Chief Actuary                                 Frank J. Buzzi
    Chief Financial Officer                       Peter A. Larson

[[Page 650]]

    Chief Information Officer                     (vacancy)
    Director of Equal Opportunity                 Leo Franklin
    Director, Personnel                           Charlene T. Kukla
    Director, Public Affairs                      William G. Poulos
    Director, Quality Assurance                   (vacancy)
    Director, Supply and Service                  Henry M. Valiulis
    Secretary to the Board                        Beatrice E. Ezerski

[For the Railroad Retirement Board statement of organization, see the 
        Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Part 200]

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The Railroad Retirement Board administers comprehensive retirement-
survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the Nation's 
railroad workers and their families.


The Railroad Retirement Board was established by the Railroad Retirement 
Act of 1934, as amended (45 U.S.C. 201--228z-1).
    The Board derives statutory authority from the Railroad Retirement 
Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 231-231u) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance 
Act (45 U.S.C. 351-369). It administers these acts and participates in 
the administration of the Social Security Act and the Health Insurance 
for the Aged Act insofar as they affect railroad retirement 
beneficiaries.
    The Board is composed of three members appointed by the President 
with the advice and consent of the Senate--one upon recommendations of 
representatives of employees; one upon recommendations of carriers; and 
one, the Chairman, as a public member.

Activities

The Railroad Retirement Act provides for the payment of annuities to 
individuals who have completed at least 10 years of creditable service 
and have ceased compensated service upon their attainment of specified 
ages, or at any age if permanently disabled for all employment. In some 
circumstances occupational disability annuities or supplemental 
annuities are provided for career employees.
    A spouse's annuity is provided, under certain conditions, for the 
wife or husband of an employee annuitant. Divorced spouses may also 
qualify.
    Survivor annuities are awarded to the qualified spouses, children, 
and parents of deceased career employees, and various lump-sum benefits 
are also available under certain conditions.
    Benefits based upon qualifying railroad earnings in a preceding one-
year period are provided under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act 
to individuals who are unemployed in a benefit year, but who are ready 
and willing to work, and to individuals who are unable to work because 
of sickness or injury.
    The Board maintains, through its field offices, a placement service 
for unemployed railroad personnel.

Sources of Information

Benefit Inquiries  The Board maintains direct contact with railroad 
employees and railroad retirement beneficiaries through its field 
offices located across the country. Field personnel explain benefit 
rights and responsibilities on an individual basis, assist employees 
applying for benefits, and answer questions related to the benefit 
programs.
    To locate the nearest field office, individuals should check with 
their rail employer, local union official, local post office, or one of 
the regional offices listed below. Most offices are open to the public 
from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Board also relies 
on railroad labor groups and employers for assistance in keeping 
railroad personnel informed about its benefit programs.

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[[Page 652]]

                                   Regional Offices--Railroad Retirement Board                                  
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              City                          Address                        Director                  Telephone  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlanta, GA.....................  Rm. 1703, 401 W. Peachtree  Patricia Lawson...................    404-331-2691
                                   St., 30365-2550.                                                             
Denver, CO......................  Suite 3300, 1999 Broadway,  Louis E. Austin...................    303-844-0800
                                   80202-5737.                                                                  
Philadelphia, PA................  Suite 670, 1421 Cherry      Richard D. Baird..................    215-656-6947
                                   St., 19102-1413.                                                             
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Employment  Inquiries and applications for employment should be directed 
to the Director of Personnel, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush 
Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 312-751-4570.

Congressional Assistance  Congressional offices making inquiries 
regarding constituents' claims should contact the Office of Public 
Affairs, Congressional Inquiry Section. Phone, 312-751-4974. Information 
regarding legislative matters may be obtained through the Office of 
Legislative Affairs. Phone, 202-272-7742.

Publications  General information pamphlets on benefit programs may be 
obtained from the Board's field offices or Chicago headquarters. 
Requests for annual reports or statistical data should be directed to 
the Director of Public Affairs at the Chicago headquarters. Phone, 312-
751-4776.

Electronic Access  Railroad Retirement Board information is available 
electronically through the Internet, at http://www.rrb.gov/. Information 
is available on CompuServe by entering ``GO TRAINNET''; select the 
Library Section and then ``RR Retirement Board.''

Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD)  The Board provides TDD 
services from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CST/CDT) daily. Phone, 312-751-4701 
for beneficiary inquiries; 312-751-4334 for employment or equal 
opportunity inquiries.

For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Railroad 
Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 
312-751-4776.

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