Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen | Railroad Retirement Board

Railroad Retirement Board

EMPLOYEE GUIDE TO RAILROAD RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits paid by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) are known as annuities. Annuities are made up of one or more components called tiers. Tier I is based on a combination of your railroad retirement credits and any social security credits you have acquired. It is computed using social security formulas, but with railroad retirement age and service requirements. Tier II is based on your railroad retirement credits only, and is computed under a separate formula. (*IB-2 pages 41-45)

EMPLOYEE GUIDE TO UNEMPLOYMENT/ SICKNESS BENEFITS

The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act provides qualified railroad employees with benefits to restore part of their lost wages arising from periods of unemployment or sickness (including, for female employees, health conditions related to pregnancy, miscarriage, or childbirth).

Benefit payments are based on biweekly claims filed with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The funds to pay unemployment and sickness benefits are provided by payroll taxes on railroad employers only. Employees do not pay unemployment insurance taxes. (*UB-9 page 2)

The following describes the requirements for railroad unemployment and sickness benefits, the amounts payable, and how to claim them.

Myths and Facts about Railroad Retirement

FAQ

LEARN MORE at RRB.gov

Page Last Updated: Aug 10, 2023 (05:55:05)