Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2019 without having their benefits reduced as a result of increases in earnings limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like social security benefits, some railroad retirement benefit payments are subject to deductions if an annuitant’s earnings exceed certain exempt amounts. These earnings restrictions
Read moreStarting October 1, 2018, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will reduce railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 6.2 percent, down from the current 6.6 percent reduction, as required by law. The adjusted reduction amount is based on revised projections of benefit claims and payments under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. It will remain
Read moreAAR and ASLRAA Request the Nomination of Thomas Jayne to the RRB In a joint letter to the President the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) recommended Thomas Jayne to serve as member of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The letter states: Dear Mr. President: On
Read moreUnder the Railroad Retirement Act, a current connection with the railroad industry is one of the eligibility requirements for occupational disability annuities, and is one of the factors that determine whether the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or the Social Security Administration has jurisdiction over the payment of monthly benefits to survivors of a railroad employee. It
Read moreWalt Barrows, the current labor member on the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), announced earlier this year that he would like to retire from the Board. John Bragg, currently a Vice President with the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen (BRS) has expressed an interest in replacing Walt as the Labor Member. John has the support of the
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