Federal Register #2026-16251

Railroad Retirement Board Final Rule on Benefit Payment Jurisdiction

This regulatory update from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) addresses benefit payment jurisdiction, not a procurement opportunity. - The RRB has amended its regulations to clarify which agency has jurisdiction to pay benefits to certain railroad employees and their beneficiaries. - Applies to employees and auxiliary beneficiaries (including divorced spouses) with less than ten years of railroad service but at least five years after 1995. - The rule ensures regulations align with statutory changes and corrects outdated references. - No products, services, OEMs, or vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory action, not a purchase or contract. - The update impacts benefit eligibility and payment determinations, not procurement activities.

Description

The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to reflect statutory amendments granting jurisdiction to the Board to pay benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act and under Title II of the Social Security Act to railroad employees and auxiliary beneficiaries who have less than ten years of railroad service, but at least five years after 1995. The amendment also adds divorced spouses to the list of auxiliary beneficiaries to whom the Board will pay benefits in accordance with controlling law. The existing regulation is no longer consistent with the statutory criteria in the Railroad Retirement Act for jurisdictional determinations and is therefore facially unlawful.

View original listing