Prepared by:

Upcoming National Rail Employer Seminar

The RRB will be conducting the sixth National Rail Employer Training Seminar May 10-12, 2006.

The seminar will provide information on our future employer reporting plans as well as basic training that is essential to all payroll personnel. Additional information will be made available in late January, so look for your registration packet in the mail.

GL- 99 Reminder

The due date for returning 2004 Form GL-99 has passed, so please complete the forms and return them if you haven’t already. Returning the form promptly will assist us in providing accurate service to you and your employees.

Unemployment Benefit Services Come Online

Rail industry employees can now file for and claim unemployment benefits on line. To file their applications or their biweekly-claims online, claimants should go to “Benefit Online Services” for directions on establishing an RRB Internet Service account. Once they establish their online accounts, they will be able to file their applications and claims for unemployment benefits, as well as conduct other business with the RRB, over the Internet. However, to ensure security, they must first go online to get a Password Request Code, which they will receive by mail in about 7 to 10 days. Employees are encourage to establish online accounts while still employed so the account is ready if they ever need to apply for these benefits or use other Internet services. Employees who have already established online accounts do not need to do so again.

The new services have been well received, and to date employees have filed over 5,000 claims online. The online system is beneficial to the employees and to the RRB.

The RRB has been releasing publicity regarding these new services, and we ask employers to encourage their employees to participate. Those employers who would like more information should contact Doug Fager at 312-751-3389.

Return to Railroad Service

The RRB released Forms GL-132, “Notices of Service Reported for Annuitant Who is Receiving an RRB Annuity” to verify whether your former employees are correctly receiving retirement benefits. Annuitants who return to work for employers covered under the RRA are not entitled to retirement annuities from the RRB for the same months in which they are working.

If you are incorrectly crediting former employees with service for pay in lieu of vacation, back pay or any payment not associated with actual work or a negotiated agreement, you may be subjecting them to overpayments. Compensation can be credited to an employees account when paid, regardless of when the employee retires or resigns. However, service months must be credited when the service is performed. No additional service months can be credited to an employee's earnings record after the employee actually stops working and relinquishes his/her rights to work for your company. If service has been reported for a former employee after his /her retirement annuity began you will receive a Form GL-132.

This form will help us determine whether the service was credited properly and /or if benefits are payable. Please help us reconcile these records by completing and returning this form to our office within 30 days of receiving.

2006 Tax Rates and Compensation Bases

The 2006 Tier I, Tier II and RUIA Compensation Bases are scheduled to be released by the end of October. The Tier II Tax rate will be released in December. Projected compensation bases and tax rates can be found on our web site.

October Release of Form ID-40R/S, “Annual Notices under the RUIA”

Form ID-40R/S was mailed October 7, 2005. The form notifies employers of their RUIA contribution rate to be used during the period of January 1 through December 31, 2006. If you do not receive the form by the end of October, please contact the Quality Reporting Service Center.

Contact Official Changes

Have there been personnel changes in your organization that affect employees previously designated as contact officials with the RRB? If we are sending correspondence to an incorrect or obsolete address or contact official, please notify us by completing Form G-117a, “Designation of Contact Officials”, and mail or fax it to QRSC. Be sure to update the information to those who participate in the Employer Reporting System too. Current addresses and contacts are essential in providing you with RRB information.

Changes to Employer Coverage Status

If your organization has experienced changes in ownership or operations that may affect its coverage status (i.e.: acquisition, merger, corporate dissolutions) please notify the RRB as soon as possible. RRB regulation (20 CFR 209.5) states, it is the duty of each employer to promptly notify the RRB of any changes that may affect its coverage under the Acts. Any coverage changes should be addressed to: