Public Affairs | RRB.Gov

Employment and Benefits

Throughout the post World War II period, there has been a declining trend in railroad employment and, consequently, in the number of qualified employees under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The number of qualified employees dropped from a peak of 2,400,000 in 1946-47 to a low of 235,100 in calendar year 2010. In calendar year 2015, the number of qualified employees rose to 260,500, the fifth consecutive increase since 2010.

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The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Amendments Act of 1996

The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Amendments Act of 1996

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The Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988

The Railroad Unemployment Insurance and Retirement Improvement Act, based on the recommendations of the Railroad Unemployment Compensation Committee, was included in the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, enacted November 10, 1988. The legislation raised the unemployment and sickness daily benefit rate from $25 to $30 retroactively to July 1988 and indexed benefit rates and earnings requirements to national wage levels. The daily benefit rate subsequently rose to $31 in July 1989, $33 in July 1992, and $36 in July 1994.

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The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act of 1938 and Later Amendments

The Act of 1938 established a system of benefits for unemployed railroad workers, plus a free placement service, to be financed by a payroll tax of 3 percent, payable entirely by employers. After some minor changes in the following year, the law went into operation on July 1, 1939.

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Development of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance System

The railroad unemployment insurance system, like the railroad retirement system, was established in the 1930s. The Great Depression demonstrated the need for unemployment compensation programs, and State unemployment programs had been established under the Social Security Act in 1935. While the State unemployment programs generally covered railroad workers, railroad operations which crossed State lines caused special problems.

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Health Insurance for the Aged and Disabled

Amendments to the Social Security Act enacted in 1965 established a broad program of health insurance, known popularly as Medicare, for people age 65 or older, including railroad workers and members of their families. Part A provides hospital insurance and related benefits financed through payroll taxes. Part B provides medical insurance benefits on a voluntary basis, with the cost shared by the participants and the Federal Government.

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Financial Report

FINANCIAL REPORT

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Tax Tables

Tax rates and maximum taxable earnings under social security, railroad retirement, and railroad unemployment insurance programs are available to download and view online.

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Financial Position of the Railroad Retirement System

The financial condition of the railroad retirement system is closely related to the size of the railroad work force. This is because, as mentioned previously, payroll taxes on covered employers and their employees are the primary source of income to the system. Clearly, a large labor force will generate more revenue for the system than a small labor force. Although railroad employment has declined significantly from the historical high in the 1940s, the chart below shows that employment has been fluctuating in recent years.

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Office of Inspector General

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the RRB focuses its audit and investigative efforts on protecting the integrity of the agency's trust funds by providing comprehensive program and operational oversight. Reports issued by the OIG, and other documents referenced in this section, can be accessed at here.

Office of Audit

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