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Railroad Retirement Board Labor Member John Bragg released the following statement on July 18:

John Bragg

The Office of the Labor Member is pleased to announce that our 2023 Pre-Retirement Seminar presentation is now available to view online. This program is a modification of our Informational Conferences, which we began decades ago.  We designed this program to help educate those nearing retirement about the benefits available to them, and what they can expect during the application process.

This popular program has become a critical resource to RRB customers and employees alike. It helps promote a better understanding within the railroad community of our benefit programs, and in turn, improves the effectiveness of our benefit program operations.

Unfortunately, we were limited to the number of in-person seminars we could schedule this year and are pleased to be able to again offer an online version of the program.  The feedback we’ve received from those who have viewed the online version of the seminar has been very positive.

For more information about the Pre-Retirement Seminars, visit RRB.gov/PRS.

Because we cover several aspects of Railroad Retirement benefits in great detail, the entire video is over an hour long. View shorter segments of the program by selecting a seminar topic on the PRS web page. Available topics include:  Retired Employee and Spouse Benefits, Spouse Annuities, Working After Retirement, Survivor Benefits, and Items Affecting All Retirement and Survivor Benefits.

The success of our educational programming is made possible with your long-standing partnership. We greatly appreciate your support in promoting this valuable program.

Union officials, auxiliary members and their spouses as well as rail employees and spouses within five years of retirement are welcome to attend one of a series of Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) pre-retirement seminars.

The spring schedule is as follows:

DateSite
April 28, 2023Courtyard by Marriott, 14635 Baldwin Park Towne Center, Baldwin Park, Calif.
May 05, 2023AJC Federal Building, 1240 E 9th Street, 31st Floor Auditorium, Cleveland, Ohio
May 12, 2023Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Hwy., Ashland, Neb.
May 19, 2023US Customs House, 721 19th Street, First Floor Room 181, Denver, Colo.
June 9, 2023Richard Boling Federal Building, 601 E. 12th Street, Room G-64 (Cafe Conference Room), Kansas City, Mo.
June 23, 2023Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, Ill.
Spring 2023 Railroad Retirement Board pre-retirement seminar schedule.

While most of the program focuses on various aspects of Railroad Retirement benefits, each seminar closes with a brief presentation on railroad unemployment and sickness benefits to help prepare union officers for sharing reliable information with members.

How to register

Online registration is required to ensure accommodations and materials for all attendees. 

Security screening is required for seminars hosted inside any federal buildings. Bring a current, valid photo ID (issued by state/federal government); no weapons permitted. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring original records (or certified copies) of documents required to file a Railroad Retirement application (such as proof of age, marriage, or military service), along with an additional copy of each item to leave with field service staff. 

Visit RRB.gov/PRS to register.

Select your local seminar from the schedule listed, click the register button, enter your infor­mation, and hit submit.

To RSVP on paper instead: select your local seminar from the schedule listed, find the blank registration form (PDF) to print and complete, then mail or fax it to your local RRB field office. Contact information for each office hosting a seminar is accessible through the Field Office Locator at RRB.gov.

Event details and registration will be available approximately 70 days in advance of each seminar, and registration will be closed for any seminar that reaches capacity.

Please inform RRB if you sign up for a seminar and become unable to attend. 

RRB Labor Member Press Release:

RRB Labor Member
John Bragg

The Office of the Labor Member is pleased to announce that our 2021 pre-retirement seminar presentation is now available to view online. We designed this program to help educate those nearing retirement about the benefits available to them, and what they can expect during the application process.
This popular program has become a critical resource to RRB customers and employees alike. It helps promote a better understanding of our benefit programs among the railroad community, and in turn, improves the effectiveness of our benefit program operations.
While we typically conduct several seminars across the country annually, we are currently unable to hold in-person events because of COVID-19.
To access the video online, visit RRB.gov/PRS and click on View Pre-Retirement Seminar Presentation. Because we cover several aspects of Railroad Retirement benefits in great detail, the entire presentation is over an hour long. View shorter segments of the program by selecting a seminar topic on the same web page. Available topics include: Retired Employee and Spouse Benefits, Spouse Annuities, Working After Retirement, Survivor Benefits, and Items Affecting All Retirement and Survivor Benefits.

The Office of the Labor Member is pleased to announce that our Pre-Retirement Seminar presentation is now available to view online. We designed this program to help educate those nearing retirement about the benefits available to them, and what they can expect during the application process.

This popular program has become a valuable resource to RRB customers and employees alike. It helps promote a better understanding of our benefit programs among the railroad community, and in turn, improves the effectiveness of our benefit program operations.

While we typically conduct several seminars across the country annually, we were forced to cancel all in-person events this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This provided us with the unique opportunity to reimagine our platform capabilities and prioritize creating a web version of the seminar.

To access the video online, visit RRB.gov/PRS and click on View Pre-Retirement Seminar Presentation. Because we cover several aspects of railroad retirement benefits in great detail, the entire presentation is over an hour long. View shorter segments of the program by selecting a seminar topic on the same web page. Available topics include: Retired Employee and Spouse Benefits, Spouse Annuities, Working After Retirement, Survivor Benefits, and Items Affecting All Retirement and Survivor Benefits.

At this time, unemployment and sickness benefits are not covered in the program because of the ongoing uncertainty of additional COVID-19 relief legislation. We recommend visiting RRB.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information.

John Bragg, labor member of the Railroad Retirement Board, issued the following statement on March 19, 2020:
Based on the best information currently available and guidance issued by public health officials, the Office of the Labor Member has canceled all Pre-Retirement Seminars scheduled from March through June until further notice. We made this difficult decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our customers and staff as we navigate through this time of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
While we expect to reschedule these seminars later this year, we’ll be monitoring the situation as it evolves and provide event updates when details are finalized.
We encourage would-be attendees to stay informed while practicing social distancing and review seminar materials, which are all available online. The program booklet is posted on our Pre-Retirement Seminar web page, and all other items included in seminar kits can be found on our Educational Materials web page.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding – we look forward to getting back on track in the coming months.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced its schedule of pre-retirement seminars for the spring through the fall of 2020. The RRB hosts these seminars for rail employees and spouses who are within five years of retirement.
Registration is required to ensure accommodations and materials for all attendees, who are encouraged to bring original records (or certified copies) of documents required in order to file a Railroad Retirement application (such as proof of age, marriage or military service), along with an additional copy of each item to leave with field service staff.
While most of the program focuses on various aspects of Railroad Retirement benefits, each seminar closes with a brief presentation on railroad unemployment and sickness benefits to help prepare union officers for sharing reliable information with their members.
To RSVP for one of the seminars, visit the RRB website and select your local seminar from the scheduled list and follow the online registration link. To RSVP on paper, use the PDF registration form posted on the pre-retirement seminar webpage and print it and complete, then mail or fax your completed form to your local field office. Contact information for each office hosting a seminar can be found by clicking here. Online registration will be available approximately 60 days before the date of each seminar. Registration will close for any seminar that reaches capacity.
Unless otherwise noted, seminars begin at 8:30 a.m. and are held over the course of four hours. Doors open 30 minutes prior to start time. Security screening will be required for seminars hosted inside any federal buildings and photo ID will be required. No weapons are permitted in federal buildings. Please let the RRB know if you have signed up for a seminar and are unable to attend.

Dates and seminar locations:

  • 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (doors open at 8 a.m.) March 27, Covina, Calif — Courtyard by Marriott, 14635 Baldwin Park Towne Center, Baldwin Park, CA PARKING FEE: $4
  • April 24, Plainview, N.Y. — Holiday Inn Plainview – Long Island, 215 Sunnyside Blvd.
  • April 24, Ashland, Neb. — Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Hwy.
  • May 8, Boston, Mass. — 408 Atlantic Avenue, Room 217 and 237
  • May 8, Lakewood, Colo. — Holiday Inn Denver – Lakewood, 7390 W. Hampden Ave.
  • May 15, Kansas City, Mo. — Richard Bolling Federal Building, 60 I E. 12th Street, Room G-41, (Dogwood Conference Room)
  • May 29, Cleveland, Ohio — Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, 12515 Corporate Drive, Cleveland, Ohio
  • June 5, Little Rock, Ark. — Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, 707 Interstate 30
  • June 5, Totowa, N.J. — Holiday Inn, 1 US Highway 46 West
  • June 12, Fort Worth, Texas — Hampton Inn & Suites, Fort Worth-Fossil Creek, 3850 Sandshell Drive
  • June 12, Indianapolis, Ind. — LaQuinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis, S, 5120 Victory Drive
  • June 26 — Tinley Park, Ill. — Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive
  • September 18 — Albany, N.Y. — site to be announced 60 days prior to seminar
  • October 23 — Philadelphia, Pa. — site to be announced 60 days prior to seminar
  • October 30 — Pittsburgh, Pa. — site to be announced 60 days prior to seminar

Thinking of retiring soon?

Designed for railroad employees and spouses planning to retire within five years, the pre-retirement seminars offered by the Railroad Retirement Board are designed to familiarize attendees with the retirement benefits available to them, and also guide them through the application process. Sponsored by the Office of the Labor Member, seminars are held at a number of locations annually. Registration is required to attend.
Pre-Retirement Seminar Booklet  PDF icon
RRB field service representatives conduct each pre-retirement seminar using a slide presentation covering the various benefits provided retired rail workers and their families. Attendees receive a program booklet of this presentation with detailed side notes and fact sheets. In addition to the program booklet, seminar attendees receive a retirement kit full of informational handouts and other helpful materials. Online and downloadable versions of items included with seminar kits are available on the RRB’s Educational Materials webpage.

Schedule and registration

Registration is required to ensure accommodations and materials for all attendees.

  • Unless otherwise noted, pre-retirement seminars begin at 8:30 a.m. and are held over the course of 4 hours. (Doors open for attendees 30 minutes before the seminar start time.)
  • Security screening is required for seminars hosted inside any Federal buildings. Bring a current, valid photo ID (issued by State/Federal Government); no weapons permitted.
  • Parking fee for seminars marked with *.
  • Attendees are encouraged to bring original records (or certified copies) of documents required in order to file a railroad retirement application (such as proof of age, marriage or military service), along with an additional copy of each item to leave with field service staff.
  • Please let the RRB know if you sign up for a seminar and become unable to attend.

Can’t join the RRB for a seminar, but still interested in learning about the railroad retirement program and application process? Please contact the RRB via Field Office Locator or by calling toll-free (1-877-772-5772) for pre-retirement information or to schedule an appointment for individual retirement counseling at your local RRB field office.

To RSVP on paper instead, print a registration form to complete, then mail or fax to your local RRB field office.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced its schedule of pre-retirement seminars for March – June 2019. The RRB hosts these seminars for rail employees and spouses who are within five years of retirement.
The board recently combined their traditional informational conference program with their pre-retirement seminars to ensure their outreach efforts fulfills current needs. Henceforth, these seminars are open for those nearing retirement, all local union officers, auxiliary members and spouses.
While most of the program focuses on various aspects of Railroad Retirement benefits, each seminar closes with a brief presentation on railroad unemployment and sickness benefits to help prepare union officers for sharing reliable information with their members.
To RSVP for one of the seminars, visit rrb.gov/prs and select your local seminar from the scheduled list, enter your information and hit submit. To RSVP on paper, use the PDF registration form posted at the bottom of the pre-retirement seminar webpage and print it and complete. Then mail or fax your completed form to your local field office. Contact information for each office hosting a seminar can be found by clicking here. Online registration will be available approximately 60 days before the date of each seminar. Registration will close for any seminar that reaches capacity.
Unless otherwise noted, seminars begin at 8:30 a.m. and are held over the course of four hours. Doors open 30 minutes prior to start time. Security screening will be required for seminars hosted inside any federal buildings and photo ID will be required. No weapons are permitted in federal buildings. Attendees are encouraged to bring original records (or certified copies) of documents required in order to file a Railroad Retirement application (such as proof of age, marriage or military service) along with an additional copy of each item to leave with field service staff. Please let the RRB know if you have signed up for a seminar and are unable to attend.
Schedule March – June 2019:

  • March 22: George H. Fallon Federal Building. 31 Hopkins Plaza, Room G-33 (ground level), Baltimore, Md.*
  • March 22: West Covina Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, Calif.* (9:00 a.m. start time)
  • March 29: Birmingham/Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, East Meeting Rooms D/E, Birmingham, Ala.*
  • March 29: Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville, Calif.
  • April 5: Country Inn & Suites, 4500 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, Ga.
  • April 5: Hilton Garden Inn (Richmond Airport), 441 International Center Drive, Sandston, Va.
  • April 12: Ronald V Dellums Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street – North Tower, 5th Floor (Room H), Oakland, Calif.*
  • April 12: Drury Inn & Suites, St Louis Forest Park, 2111 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.
  • April 26: Holiday Inn Plainview – Long Island, 215 Sunnyside Boulevard, Plainview, N.Y.
  • April 26: Patrick V McNamara Federal Building, 477 Michigan Avenue, Suite 1180, Detroit, Mich.*
  • May 3: Hilton Garden Inn, 2465 Grant Avenue, Billings, Mont.
  • May 3: Richard Bolling Federal Building, 601 East 12th Street, Room G-41 (Dogwood Conference Room), Kansas City, Mo.
  • May 10: Holiday Inn Denver Lakewood, 7390 West Hampden Avenue, Lakewood, Colo.
  • May 17: Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, 12515 Corporate Drive, Parma, Ohio
  • May 17: Jacob K Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor Conference Room, New York, N.Y.*
  • June 7: Hilton Garden Inn Portland Airport, 12048 NE Airport Way, Portland, Ore.
  • June 7: La Quinta Inn & Suites Indianapolis S, 5120 Victory Dr., Indianapolis, Ind.
  • June 14: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Hwy, Ashland, Neb.*
  • June 14: Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, 707 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Ark.
  • June 21: Post Office Federal Bldg, 657 Second Ave. N Room 319, Fargo, N.D.
  • June 21: Fritz G. Lanham Federal Bldg, 819 Taylor St., Room 4Al4H, Fort Worth, Texas
  • June 28: Holiday Inn Huntington-Barboursville, 3551 Rt. 60 East, Barboursville, W.Va.
  • June 28: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, Ill.

There is a parking fee required for seminars marked with an *.

If you are thinking of retiring within the next five years, you may want to consider attending a pre-retirement seminar hosted by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
Designed for railroad employees and spouses planning to retire, the pre-retirement seminars the RRB offers familiarize attendees with the retirement benefits available to them, and also guide them through the application process. Sponsored by the Office of the Labor Member, seminars are held at a number of locations annually.
RRB field service representatives conduct each pre-retirement seminar using a PowerPoint slide presentation covering the various benefits provided to retired rail workers and their families. Attendees receive a program booklet of this presentation with detailed side notes and fact sheets. In addition to the program booklet, seminar attendees receive a retirement kit full of informational handouts and other helpful materials. Online and downloadable versions of items included with seminar kits are available on the RRB’s educational materials webpage.
Registration is required to ensure accommodations and materials for all attendees.

  • Unless otherwise noted, pre-retirement seminars begin at 8:30 a.m. and are held over the course of four hours. (Doors open for attendees 30 minutes before the seminar start time.)
  • Security screening is required for seminars hosted inside any federal buildings. Bring a current, valid photo ID (issued by state or federal government); no weapons are permitted.
  • Parking fee for seminars marked with *.
  • Attendees are encouraged to bring original records (or certified copies) of documents required in order to file a Railroad Retirement application (such as proof of age, marriage or military service), along with an additional copy of each item to leave with field service staff.
  • Please inform the RRB if you sign up for a seminar and become unable to attend.

Can’t attend a seminar, but still interested in learning about the Railroad Retirement program and application process? Please contact the RRB via the Field Office Locator or by calling toll-free (1-877-772-5772) for pre-retirement information or to schedule an appointment for individual retirement counseling at your local RRB field office.
Here are the scheduled dates:

  • March 22, 2019: George H. Fallon Federal Building, 31 Hopkins Plaza, Room G-33 (ground level), Baltimore, Maryland*
  • March 22, 2019: West Covina Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, California*   (9 a.m. start time)
  • March 29, 2019: Birmingham/Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, East Meeting Rooms D/E, Birmingham, Alabama*
  • March 29, 2019: Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville, California
  • April 5, 2019: Country Inn & Suites, 4500 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia
  • April 5, 2019: Hilton Garden Inn (Richmond Airport), 441 International Center Drive, Sandston, Virginia
  • April 12, 2019: Ronald V Dellums Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street – North Tower, 5th Floor (Room H), Oakland, California*
  • April 12, 2019: Drury Inn & Suites, St Louis Forest Park, 2111 Sulphur Avenue, St Louis, Missouri

Click here to register online.
Click here to print a registration form.

The United State Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has issued its spring schedule of informational conferences and pre-retirement seminars for union officers and for rail workers respectively. Registration for both of these types of programs is required and available at the RRB website (www.rrb.gov).

RRB informational conferences

The RRB’s informational conference program was started by the Office of the Labor Member in 1957 to provide local union officers comprehensive information about the benefits available to rail employees and their families under the railroad retirement and unemployment insurance systems. Union officers who attend RRB can become better prepared to share accurate, reliable information with their members.
Union officials planning to attend an informational conference program must register either online or print a paper form from the RRB website then complete and return the registration form to your local RRB field office. These conferences are only open to Local union officers.

  • If you plan on attending with your spouse or another guest, please indicate so in the designated fields on your registration form.
  • If you register for a conference and become unable to attend, inform the RRB.
  • Bring photo identification for entry to federal buildings; no weapons allowed.

Conferences with parking fees are marked with *.

  • March 16, 2018: West Covina Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, Calif.
  • March 23, 2018: Country Inn & Suites, 4500 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, Ga.
  • March 23, 2018: Maidu Community Center, 1500 Maidu Drive, Roseville, Calif.
  • April 13, 2018: Hilton Garden Inn – Richmond Airport, 441 International Center Drive, Sandston, Va.
  • April 13, 2018: Drury Inn & Suites (St. Louis Forest Park), 2111 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.
  • April 20, 2018: Huntington Center, 23rd Floor Conference Room, 525 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio *
  • April 20, 2018: Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 6th Floor Conference Room A/B, New York, N.Y. *
  • April 27, 2018: Holiday Inn Romulus, 8400 Merriman Road, Romulus, Mich.
  • April 27, 2018: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Highway, Ashland, Neb. *
  • May 4, 2018: Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 2, 2902 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
  • May 4, 2018: Corporate Conference Center, 180 East 5th Street, 2nd Floor, St. Paul, Minn. *
  • May 11, 2018: Hampton Inn Altoona, 180 Charlotte Drive, Altoona, Pa.
  • May 11, 2018: Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential, 707 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Ark.
  • May 18, 2018: Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 33, 12525 Corporate Drive, Parma, Ohio
  • May 18, 2018: Holiday Inn Denver (Lakewood), 7390 West Hamden Avenue, Lakewood, Colo.

RRB Pre-retirement seminar schedule

Designed for railroad employees and spouses planning to retire within five years, the pre-retirement seminars familiarize attendees with retirement benefits available to them, and also guide them through the application process. Registration is required.

  • March 23, 2018: Maidu Community Center, 1500 Maidu Drive, Roseville, Calif.
  • April 13, 2018: Robert A. Roe Federal Building, 200 Federal Plaza, 5th Floor (Room 527), Paterson, N.J.
  • May 11, 2018: Roanoke South County Library, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, Va.
  • May 11, 2018: Hampton Inn Altoona, 180 Charlotte Drive, Altoona, Pa.
  • May 23, 2018: IBEW Local 714 Union Hall, 1800 Commerce Drive, Bismarck, N.D.

Combined informational & pre-retirement programs

To help manage costs, the RRB is combining the following five officer conferences and pre-retirement seminars:

  • March 23, 2018: Roseville, Calif.
  • May 11, 2018: Altoona, Pa.
  • Sept. 21, 2018: Bellevue, Wash.
  • Nov. 16, 2018: Houston, Texas
  • Dec. 7, 2018: Jacksonville, Fla.

The focus of these combined programs will be a presentation covering the various railroad retirement benefits available to rail employees and their families. The RRB will then close with a separate, brief presentation on railroad unemployment and sickness benefits, which will be shown to union officials only.
These five programs will be open by invitation to rail union officials and also to any interested rail employees and their spouses who are within five years of retirement. Officials will receive an invitation for their local informational conference, and in a later mailing, a promotional flyer for the same program which they are encouraged to share with fellow rail employees.
Union officials should register for combined events through the informational conference program webpage and all other attendees should use the promotional flyer, which is also available for printing on the pre-retirement seminars webpage of the RRB.