[United States Government Manual] [June 02, 1998] [Pages 657-660] [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 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 Bobby V. Ferguson, Acting 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 Chief Information Officer Robert T. Rose 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] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 [[Page 658]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T177653.063 [[Page 659]] 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 304, 9th and Market Richard D. Baird.................. 215-597-2646 Sts., 19107-4228. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/. [[Page 660]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------