Reported by Tre’Vaughn Howard for Bloomberg Government
A bipartisan group of senators are seeking to reduce the lengthy benefit processing delays for railroad workers without relying on taxpayer dollars. The Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act, sponsored by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), and Tim Kaine (D.-Va.), would provide the Railroad Retirement Board with additional administrative funding to upgrade outdated technology, address staffing shortages, and reduce a growing backlog of retirement, disability, and unemployment benefit claims. “The RRB Trust Fund has delivered strong returns for railroad workers. But outdated infrastructure is preventing workers from getting the benefits they’ve earned in a timely manner,” said Cassidy.
“This legislation modernizes RRB, ensuring workers and their families can achieve a secure retirement.” The RRB, an independent agency that administers benefits for the nation’s railroad workers and their families, is funded through payroll taxes paid by railroads and their employees.
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