(More)

No. 24-5 For Immediate Release

August 13, 2024

Update to RRB Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Concerns

The Senate Committee on Appropriations has approved a fiscal year (FY) 2025 

funding level of $129 million for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The RRB

appreciates the Committee’s mark, which is notably higher than the House’s proposed 

spending level. But it should be noted that Congress cut the RRB’s budget for FY 2024,

which has severely impacted agency operations. While the Senate’s proposal would 

reverse that cut and give the agency a small 0.78 percent increase from FY 2023, the

proposed appropriation of $129 million is still $5 million less than the President’s 

request, $43.3 million less than the RRB’s request, and significantly short of what the

agency needs to carry out its mission.

With a $129 million budget, the RRB will be forced to continue its existing hiring 

freeze and operational cutbacks, initiated as a result of the agency’s FY 2024 budget 

reduction, while continuing to lose decades of institutional knowledge through

retirements. Further, the RRB will be unable to move forward with its multi-year

Information Technology (IT) modernization project, resulting in continued dependence

on antiquated systems and inefficient processes and a further deterioration of service to 

the nation’s railroaders.

After several years of inadequate flat funding, in 2018, the RRB received funding

targeted towards improvements to the agency’s IT systems. However, during that period,

there were no significant increases to the agency’s administrative budget. The RRB did 

not receive a significant boost to its administrative budget until 2022, and even then the 

increase was not sufficient to bring the agency back up to needed staffing levels. The 

insufficient funding levels over the last decade have led directly to unacceptable 

din service to the rail employees and annuitants who have paid into the railroad elays 

retirement system their entire careers.

At the same time the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $129 million 

funding level for the RRB, it increased funding for the Social Security Administration 

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

RRB News

844 North Rush Street Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275

RRB.gov

General Information: 877-772-5772 

Public Affairs

Media Inquiries: opa@rrb.gov 

312-751-4777
-2-

(SSA) by $509 million to “help SSA address service delivery challenges and improve 

services for Americans across the country.” As noted by the Committee, “Americans rely 

on Social Security, have earned benefits through a lifetime of work, and deserve access to 

timely services.” Our nation’s railroaders also have earned their benefits through a 

lifetime of work and likewise deserve access to timely services. Railroad employees and 

employers pay a combined 18 percent in payroll taxes for enhanced benefits, above and 

beyond what other American workers and employers pay for their benefits. These payroll 

taxes directly fund the RRB’s administrative budget.

Railroad employees and their families deserve proper service during their more 

vulnerable years—especially since they have paid more for it. The RRB needs sufficient

funding to increase staffing, continue to make needed IT improvements, keep field 

offices open to the public, and adequately execute its mission. Its constituents expect and 

deserve no less. 

# # #