Press Releases | RRB.Gov

Some Annuitants Must Take Immediate Action to Receive $500 per Dependent under Coronavirus Relief Act This Year

Railroad retirees are entitled to receive a payment of $1,200 per person under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 27. It also provides an additional $500 per dependent child.

However, for individuals who did not file an income tax return for 2018 or thus far for 2019, they will need to take action by noon Eastern time on April 22 to receive the extra $500 per dependent on their CARES Act Economic Impact Payment.

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Coronavirus Relief Act Impacts Railroad Workers

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 27, boosts unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad workers impacted by the pandemic.

Under the CARES Act, the 1-week waiting period required before railroad workers can receive unemployment or sickness benefits is temporarily eliminated. This applies to an employee’s first 2-week registration period for a period of continuing sickness or unemployment beginning after the effective date of the law and ending on or before December 31, 2020.

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Railroad Retirement Board Closes Field Offices to Public

On March 13, the President declared the COVID-19 virus outbreak a national emergency. While U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) employees continue to work both on-site and remotely, out of an abundance of caution, the RRB decided to close its 53 field offices to the public effective Monday, March 16, until further notice.

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Information on Federal Income Tax and Railroad Retirement Benefits Available Online

With tax time rapidly approaching, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) wants to remind its customers that the best source of information pertaining to Federal income tax and railroad retirement benefits is the agency’s website, RRB.gov.

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Railroad Retirement Board Reminds Customers to Avoid Scams

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding its customers to use caution and common sense to avoid being the victim of a telephone or email scam. Should there be some type of issue with an individual’s account or benefits, the RRB will typically communicate with that person by sending a letter through the U.S. Postal Service. Such written notices contain contact information specific to each notice.

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RRB Chairman Appoints Cameron as Assistant

Kimberley M. Cameron has been named as an Assistant to the Chairman of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Erhard R. Chorlé. At the time of her appointment, Ms. Cameron served as the Executive Assistant to the agency’s Senior Executive Officer and Director of Field Service.

In her new position, Ms. Cameron will advise and assist the Chairman in reviewing fiscal and policy matters related to the functions and organization of the RRB, focusing on the efficient and effective administration of the agency’s various benefit programs.

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Supreme Court Finds Injury Award for Lost Wages Is Taxable Compensation under Railroad Retirement Tax Act

A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court found that the portion of a damages award attributable to lost wages for a workplace injury is considered to be taxable compensation under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA). The decision in BNSF Railway Co. v. Loos (No. 17-1042) was released by the Court on March 4, 2019.

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President Appoints Railroad Retirement Board

President Donald J. Trump has appointed Erhard R. Chorlé to be the Chairman of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Johnathan D. Bragg to be the Labor Member, and Thomas R. Jayne to be the Carrier Member. Their appointments to the three-member Board were confirmed by the Senate on January 2.

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Q&A: RRB Financial Reports

As required by law, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) submits annual reports and triennial actuarial valuations on the financial condition of the railroad retirement system and annual reports on the fiscal health of the railroad unemployment insurance system to Congress. These reports must also recommend any financing changes needed to ensure each system’s respective solvency. In June, the RRB submitted its 2025 financial reports on the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance systems to Congress.

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RRB Names Chief Financial Officer

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Shawna R. Weekley as its Chief Financial Officer.

At the time of her appointment, Ms. Weekley was the RRB’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer, having served in that capacity since January 2017. Before then, she was with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for 14 years in a series of increasingly responsible positions. Most recently, she had served as Director of Accounting and Finance for the DOE’s Office of Science in Chicago, based at Argonne National Laboratory, since April 2010.

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