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Social Insurance for Railroad Workers
Managing Agency U.S. Railroad Retirement Board http://www.rrb.gov/

Program Description

Social Insurance for Railroad Workers provides comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families. In connection with the retirement program, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has administrative responsibilities for certain social security benefits and railroad workers' Medicare coverage.

General Program Requirements

In order to qualify for railroad retirement benefits, you must have been a railroad worker for at least 10 years, or for at least 5 years after 1995. Workers can receive full retirement benefits at age 60 with 30 years of service. The RRB also pays benefits to family members and survivors of railroad workers. In order to qualify for railroad unemployment or sickness benefits, an employee must have had earnings of at least $3,325 in 2011 or $3,412.50 in 2012.

Your Next Steps

The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process

For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.

Program Contact Information

For more information about this program and eligibility requirements, please contact your local field office by calling the RRB toll-free at 1-877-772-5772. You can also find the address of the nearest field office through the following link: http://www.rrb.gov/field/field.asp
You may also email: opa@rrb.gov
People who are hearing impaired may call this toll-free TTY number: 312-751-4701