Press Releases | RRB.Gov

RRB Names Director of Policy and Systems

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Randolph “Randy” Hayden as its Director of Policy and Systems, effective January 1, 2023.

In that position, Mr. Hayden will be responsible for developing and improving computer programs and systems, along with necessary forms, instructions, and processes, to calculate and pay benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act while providing outstanding service to RRB customers. He will be responsible for managing about 55 analysts and staff in Policy and Systems.

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Q&A: Credit for Military Service under the Railroad Retirement Act

Many railroad employees have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Under certain conditions, their military service may be creditable as railroad service under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA).

The following questions and answers provide information on how military service may be credited towards railroad retirement benefits.

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Railroad Retirement Board Resumes In-Person Service

Effective April 25, 2022, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is offering in-person appointments at its nationwide network of 53 field offices.

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RRB Appoints Director of Equal Opportunity

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Shiri Ndang as its Director of Equal Opportunity, effective January 17, 2022.

Ms. Ndang has over 20 years of experience in Federal labor and employment law, providing guidance, advisory and representational services to executives, managers and supervisors, at both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).

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RRB Names New Director of Retirement and Survivor Benefits

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has selected Letitia C. Carthans as the agency’s next Director of Retirement and Survivor Benefits, effective January 3, 2022. She will replace Valerie Allen, who is retiring after more than 31 years of RRB service.

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RRB Names Arturo Cardenas as Director of Programs

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Arturo Cardenas as the agency’s Director of Programs.

In that position, Mr. Cardenas will oversee all operations to process and pay benefits administered by the agency. He will also serve on the RRB’s Executive Committee, which is responsible for day-to-day operations of the agency and making policy recommendations to the three-member Board.

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RRB Names Mark Blythe as Director of Field Service

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Mark Blythe as its Director of Field Service, effective May 24, 2021. He replaces Daniel J. Fadden, who was named the RRB’s Director of Administration in January 2021.

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RRB Appoints Keith T. Sartain as Chief Actuary

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Keith T. Sartain as its Chief Actuary, effective February 15, 2021.

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RRB Names Nancy L. Bitzer as Director of Human Resources

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Nancy L. Bitzer as Director of Human Resources, effective January 31, 2021.

In this position, Ms. Bitzer is responsible for administering the agency’s staffing, recruitment, workforce planning, employee relations, labor relations, benefits, HR operations, and training and development programs for RRB employees. Before her new appointment, she served as Chief of Human Services/Labor Relations at the RRB since September 2013.

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RRB Plans Improved Access to Toll-Free Service

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has developed two changes to the agency’s nationwide toll-free telephone system that should improve customers’ access to agency staff and services. The changes will take effect on February 15.

To address lengthy wait times for callers on our toll free number ((877)772-5772), the RRB is adding a virtual hold function and increasing our total hours of availability beginning with the week of February 15, 2021.

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