[United States Government Manual]
[June 01, 1999]
[Pages 655-658]
[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. Internet, http://www.rrb.gov/.

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

Phone, 202-272-7742. Fax, 202-272-7728
Chair                                             Cherryl T. Thomas
Labor Member                                      V.M. Speakman, Jr.
Management Member                                 Jerome F. Kever
Inspector General                                 Martin J. Dickman
General Counsel                                   Steven A. Bartholow
    Director, Legislative Affairs                 Marian P. Gibson
    Director, Hearings and Appeals                Dale G. Zimmerman
    Secretary to the Board                        Beatrice E. Ezerski
Chief Actuary                                     Frank J. Buzzi
Chief Information Officer                         Robert T. Rose
Chief Financial Officer                           Kenneth P. Boehne
    Director, Fiscal Operations                   Peter A. Larson
Director, Programs                                Bobby V. Ferguson
    Director, Operations                          Robert J. Duda
    Director, Policy and Systems                  (vacancy)
    Director, Resource Management Center          Martha M. Barringer
    Director, Assessment and Training             Catherine A. Leyser
    Director, Field Service                       Bobby V. Ferguson, 
                                                          Acting
Director, Administration                          John L. Thoresdale
    Director, Supply and Service                  Henry M. Valiulis
    Director, Quality Assurance                   (vacancy)
    Director, Personnel                           Charlene T. Kukla

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    Director of Equal Opportunity                 (vacancy)
    Director, Public Affairs                      William G. Poulos

[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 originally 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 Chair, 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.

                                   Regional Offices--Railroad Retirement Board
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              City                          Address                        Director                  Telephone
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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 304, 9th and Market   Richard D. Baird..................    215-597-2646
                                   Sts., 19107-4228.
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Employment  Inquiries and applications for employment should be directed 
to the Bureau 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 Office 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/.
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.

For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Railroad 
Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 
312-751-4776. Internet, http://www.rrb.gov/.

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