Public Affairs | RRB.Gov

Q&A: Medicare for Railroad Families

The federal Medicare program provides hospital and medical insurance protection for railroad workers and their families, just as it does for workers under social security. Medicare has the following parts:

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Medicare Part B Premiums and Deductibles Will Increase in 2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set the standard monthly Part B premium at $202.90 in 2026, an increase of $17.90, or just under 10 percent, from the 2025 premium of $185.00. However, some Medicare beneficiaries may pay less than this amount because, by law, Part B premiums for current enrollees cannot increase by more than the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment for social security (railroad retirement tier I) benefits. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B enrollees in 2026 will be $283, an increase of $26 from the 2025 deductible of $257.

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RRB Scores Well with Railroad Employers

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) earned a score of 77 in a recent survey of railroad employers on their dealings with the agency, utilizing the science of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey. The study covered the employers' direct contact with agency personnel, along with various forms of electronic communication. This was the first time that railroad employer satisfaction had been surveyed by the RRB, and the score of 77 compares very favorably with the overall ACSI score of 64 for the federal government.

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RRB Names Director of Legislative Affairs/Legislative Counsel

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Beverly Britton Fraser as Director of Legislative Affairs/Legislative Counsel. The appointment was effective April 18, 2016.

She replaces Director of Legislative Affairs Margaret Lindsley, who retired in February 2016 after more than 35 years of RRB service.

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RRB Labor Member Appoints Two Assistants

The Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Walter A. Barrows, has selected Michele L. Neuendorf and Mark L. Thomson to serve in the capacity of Assistant to the Labor Member. The appointments became effective March 9, 2015.

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RRB Management Member Appoints Marx as Assistant

Natasha Marx has been named as a staff assistant by the Management Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Steven J. Anthony. At the time of her appointment, Ms. Marx was an auditor in the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In her new position, Ms. Marx will advise and assist the Management Member in reviewing fiscal and policy matters, information technology initiatives and legislative proposals related to administration of the RRB and its benefits programs.

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RRB Labor Member Appoints Nancy V. Russell as Legal Counsel

Nancy V. Russell has been named Counsel to the Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Walter A. Barrows. The appointment is effective upon the January 2013 retirement of Thomas W. Sadler, who has worked for the Labor Member's office since 2003.