[United States Government Manual]
[June 01, 2004]
[Pages 509-512]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092

Phone, 312-751-4777. Fax, 312-751-7154. Internet, www.rrb.gov.
Chairman                                          Michael S. Schwartz
Labor Member                                      V.M. Speakman, Jr.
Management Member                                 Jerome F. Kever
Inspector General                                 Martin J. Dickman
Director, Administration and Senior Executive     Henry M. Valiulis
        Officer
    Director, Equal Opportunity                   Lynn E. Cousins
    Director, Human Resources                     Keith B. Earley
    Director, Public Affairs                      William G. Poulos
General Counsel                                   Steven A. Bartholow
    Director, Legislative Affairs                 Margaret A. Stanley-
                                                          Lindsley
    Director, Hearings and Appeals                Arthur A. Arfa
    Secretary to the Board                        Beatrice E. Ezerski
Chief Actuary                                     Frank J. Buzzi
Chief Information Officer                         Kenneth J. Zoll
Chief Financial Officer                           Kenneth P. Boehne
Director, Programs                                Dorothy A. Isherwood
    Director, Assessment and Training             Catherine A. Leyser
    Director, Field Service                       Martha M. Barringer
    Director, Operations                          Robert J. Duda
    Director, Policy and Systems                  Ronald Russo
    Director, Resource Management Center          Cecilia A. Freeman

[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-
survivorand unemployment-sicknessbenefitprograms 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 through 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.

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    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 railroad 
service, or 5 years if performed after 1995, 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 1-
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. Information may also be obtained by 
calling the Board's help line at 800-808-0772, or from the Board's Web 
site at www.rrb.gov. 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlanta, GA.....................  Rm. 1703, 401 W. Peachtree  Patricia R. Lawson................    404-331-2691
                                   St., 30308-3519.
Denver, CO......................  Suite 3300, 1999 Broadway,  Louis E. Austin...................    303-844-0800
                                   80202-5737.
Philadelphia, PA................  Suite 304, 900 Market St.,  Richard D. Baird..................    215-597-2647
                                   19107-4228.
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Electronic Access  Railroad Retirement Board information is available 
electronically through the Internet, at www.rrb.gov.
Employment  Inquiries and applications for employment should be directed 
to the Bureau of Human Resources, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North 
Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 312-751-4580. Fax, 312-751-
7164. E-mail, [email protected]
Congressional and Legislative Assistance  Congressional offices making 
inquiries regarding constituents' claims should contact the Office of 
Public Affairs, Congressional Inquiry Section. Phone, 312-751-4974. Fax, 
312-751-7154. E-mail, [email protected]. For information regarding legislative 
matters, contact the Office of Legislative Affairs, Suite 500, 1310 G 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20005-3004. Phone, 202-272-7742. Fax, 202-
272-7728. E-mail, [email protected].
Publications  General information pamphlets on benefit programs may be

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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-
751-4777. Fax, 312-751-7154. E-mail, [email protected].
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD)  The Board provides TDD 
services. Phone, 312-751-4701 for beneficiary inquiries or 312-751-4334 
for equal opportunity inquiries.

For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Railroad 
Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 
312-751-4777. E-mail, [email protected]. Internet, www.rrb.gov.

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