Freedom of Information Act

Introduction

The Railroad Retirement Board is required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, we may withhold information under certain exemptions and exclusions provided by the statute. Also, the Railroad Retirement Act, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and the Privacy Act restrict disclosure of information about individuals. FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies.

Consult our Guide for Requesting FOIA Records if you plan to make a FOIA request. We also encourage you to browse Agency Overview, News Releases, Statistical Information, Benefit Forms and Publications, and Employer Forms and Publications located in the links to the left.

Additionally, pursuant to Executive Order 13392 entitled "Improving Agency Disclosure of Information," the RRB's FOIA Improvement Plan will make the processing of FOIA requests more streamlined and effective and increase public awareness of FOIA processing.

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Annual FOIA Reports

Go to.... 2011 FOIA Report 2010 FOIA Report 2009 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2008 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report Updated Staus Report on Deficiencies pursuant to EO 13,392 FOIA Reading Room Certification (October 2008) 2007 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2006 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2005 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2004 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2003 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2002 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report 2001 FOIA Transmittal Letter and Report

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Chief FOIA Officer Reports

• FY 2011
• FY 2010
• FY 2009

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Questions and Answers

What information is available without filing a FOIA request and where is it?

Information is available

• in the Federal Register
• the RRB's Reading Room
  844 N. Rush St.
  Chicago, IL 60611
• our website
• RRB Government Information Locator System (GILS) website.

See chart below for specific information and where located.

Who Can Request?

Any person may request agency records.

How to Request?

• Mail/Fax

1. Make request in writing, see item B. 3 in the Guide for Requesting FOIA Records
2. State that the request is being made under the FOIA
3. Mark both the envelope and contents, "Freedom of Information Request"
4. Address your request to:

• Online
  
  EFOIA

Is there a Fee?

RRB may charge fees, according to published fee schedules, for searching, reviewing, and copying records.  Noncommercial requesters are not charged for the first 100 pages of document copying, or for the first two hours of search time. For more information see Guide for Requesting FOIA Records.

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Frequently Requested Information Available Without Filing a FOIA Request

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