[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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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 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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