Category: Alumni Association
Chicago attorney nominated as RRB chair
President Donald Trump nominated Erhard Chorle, a Chicago attorney, to serve a five-year term as chairman of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) on July 27. Chorle’s confirmation would fill a vacancy that was created in August 2015 by the retirement of Michael Schwartz [...]
“Patients Over Paperwork:” Medicare is reviewing regulations to reduce provider burden
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reviewing regulations that mandate how doctors and other practitioners document the services they provide. The focus is on the following: Reducing unnecessary burden Increasing process efficiencies Improving the patien [...]
Public, politicians concerned over Amtrak’s planned cuts to service
The public and members of Congress have been vocal in their displeasure with Amtrak’s announcements of cuts and planned cuts to service, including replacement of dining car service with boxed lunches on some routes, de-staffing 15 train stations around the country that [...]
SMART TD Regional, Day 3: National Legislative Director John Risch updates members
SEATTLE — SMART Transportation Division National Legislative Director John Risch gave attendees a broad overview of the landscape of the transit industry on the third day of the TD regional meeting. Among the topics covered: how to grow support for transportation-relate [...]Barring massive employment drop, rail retirement appears solvent until 2047
The chief actuary of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) said in his triennial report that the railroad retirement fund will remain solvent with no cash flow problems for nearly three decades, barring any unforeseen drops in rail worker employment over that time. The positive [...]Tour schedule set for Seattle Regional Meeting
A pair of tours has been finalized on July 1 and 2 for attendees of the 2018 SMART Transportation Division Regional Meeting in Seattle. Day 1 (July 1): Puget Sound whale watching tour Attendees will be picked up from the Westin Hotel downtown at 8:15 a.m. Sunday, July 1, and [...]
SSA says trust fund depletion year remains 2034
The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security trust funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI), or OASDI, trust funds are projected [...]
National Legislative Director Risch addresses NARVRE
SMART Transportation Division National Legislative Director John Risch addressed the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE) in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on May 21, touching on the current national political climate and the need for retirees to step [...]