Program United States

Letter Railroad Retirement Board

Office of Programs Chicago, IL 60611-2092

Quality Reporting Service Center (312) 751-4992

 

CONTACT: Quality Reporting Service Center Letter No. 2015-03

TO: Certification Contact Officials Release: May 27, 2015

SUBJECT: NATIONAL RAIL EMPLOYER TRAINING SEMINAR

This letter provides all the information you need to register for the Tenth National Rail Employer 

Training Seminar (NRETS) which will be held August 26, 27, and 28, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency 

Chicago, 151 East Wacker, Chicago, Illinois. There is a registration fee of $30.00 to help cover the 

costs of refreshments and other incidentals. You are responsible for your own transportation, meals, 

and lodging expenses.

This seminar is designed for those persons who work in, or manage, the subject areas of service, 

compensation, and contributions reported to the RRB, and related areas. This includes, but is not 

limited to, payroll personnel, accountants, controllers, claims agents, benefit administrators, auditors, 

and executives of employers covered under the Railroad Retirement Act. Please share this 

information with all the appropriate parties within your organization. 

THE SEMINAR IN BRIEF

The seminar begins with a general session for all attendees at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 11:30 

a.m. Friday. The Management Member of the Board, Steven J. Anthony, will open the seminar, 

followed by the Director of Policy and Systems. The topics include information on the agency’s 

direction in this era of social media and automation, customer service improvements and new 

initiatives in the way we do business with our constituents in the rail industry.

The plenary session is followed by two breakout sessions. Five breakout sessions are scheduled for 

Thursday and three on Friday. Each attendee chooses the particular breakout sessions that meet his 

or her needs. We have a few new sessions, including an introductory course on Internet reporting, 

new programs offered through our Bureau of Field Service and a session from our Chief Information 

Officer.

Eric O’Neill, Accounting Manager from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association 

will again host a discussion along with a representative from the RRB on changes that affect Short

Line employers.
Breakout Sessions

A description of each breakout session is enclosed and we have a variety of topics from which to 

choose. This includes basic topics which provide general information in all areas of compensation 

reporting for attendees who are new; sessions covering advanced compensation and related tax issues; 

and sessions that provide information on our automation efforts. So, attendees should simply sign up 

for the sessions they want to attend. Also, if there are any other topics you would like to see covered 

during our seminar, please let us know. Add your comments on the registration form and we will try 

to insure that those topics get covered and let you know which session you should attend. If the 

classes you select fill to capacity, we will notify you of any changes we make to your schedule. So 

register early!

Luncheon General Session

In combination with the luncheon you will receive an informative presentation on industry related 

issues. (Speaker to be announced).

HOW TO REGISTER

You have several options for registering and paying for the seminar. You can register and pay online at www.rrb.gov. Look for the link to NRETS on the home page (which will be available at the 

beginning of June).

Or you can:

• Print a copy of your registration and fax it to the RRB to the number shown below and mail 

your payment separately;

• Print a copy of your registration and mail it to the RRB with your payment; or

• Use the printed form enclosed with this letter and mail it to the RRB with your payment.

You can send a check or money order to the address shown below and indicate whether the original 

registration was faxed. Please complete one form for each person attending the seminar. Photocopies 

are acceptable.

Mail your registration to: U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

Quality Reporting Service Center

844 North Rush Street

Chicago, IL 60611-2092

Fax your registration to: (312) 751-7123

Please register as soon as possible, and no later than, July 29. We will accommodate reservations 

received after that date, but we require a count of attendees by July 29 for meeting room and contract 

purposes. Confirmations of registration and payment will be sent by e-mail beginning mid -June and 

every 2 weeks thereafter. Confirmations will include directions to the hotel. If you do not receive 

your confirmation after two weeks, contact the Quality Reporting Service Center by telephone at 

(312) 751-4992 or e-mail to QRSC@rrb.gov.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS

The seminar is being held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in the heart of Chicago’s business, dining 

and shopping district with many activities available within walking distance. The guest rooms have 

dual-line telephones, and Internet access. Arrangements have been made with the hotel to give 

attendees a discounted government room rate of $159 per day plus 16.4% tax. A limited number of 

rooms are being held for check-in the day before the seminar. If you plan to arrive on Tuesday, 

August 25, please make your reservations early. 

To make reservations by phone, call the Hyatt Regency Chicago at (312) 239-4414 and identify the 

group as the US Railroad Retirement Board. To make reservations on the Internet, go to

https://resweb.passkey.com/go/USRailroadRetirementBoard2015 enter your dates and preferences 

and click “check availability” at the bottom of the form. Reservations must be received by July

29 to receive the discounted rate. Do not delay. 

LUNCHEON SESSION

Thursday’s luncheon session starts at 12:30 p.m., and includes a cash bar, lunch, and a general session. 

The cost of the luncheon is $55.00 and advance reservations and payment are required. Attendance 

at the luncheon is optional. Entrée includes choice of Chicken, Fish or Vegetarian with soup or salad, 

two sides and desert.

If you choose to attend the luncheon, please complete Part C of the registration form.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT

Many licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credit for 

attendance at our workshops when you submit the course outline and a certificate of attendance. 

Contact your own board or organization to find out what is required. If you want a certificate of 

attendance, sign up at the registration table and your certificate should be available on Friday.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions about the seminar, or you require a special lunch meal or accommodations, 

please address them to any of the staff at (312) 751-4992. We are looking forward to seeing you in 

August.

Enclosures: Descriptions of Breakout Sessions

Schedule of Sessions

Seminar Registration Form
BREAKOUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 2015

(In alphabetical order by title.)

No. Topic 

1. Audits of Employers

This session will address both audits conducted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Audit 

and Compliance division of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). You will receive advice on how to 

prepare for, and survive, an audit, as well as information on audit authority, objectives, and scope. 

Coordination of information between the RRB and IRS will be covered, along with disclosure, 

confidentiality considerations, and other issues which cross agency lines. The session will discuss some 

common findings and how you can be confident that you are in compliance.

Presentation by: Cynthia J. Carter, Audit and Compliance Division, RRB

 Laird MacMillan, Internal Revenue Service Representative

2. BIS Goals 

This session will provide the new CIO an opportunity to discuss his goals related to RRB 

computer/automation initiatives relevant to the railroad industry.

Presentation by: Ram Murthy, Chief Information Officer, RRB

3. CT-1 Tax Issues 

This session will address Form CT-1 reporting issues and the correction Form CT-1X. The 

session will also discuss the year-end reconciliation of tax deposits. Common CT-1 questions 

and errors will be addressed.

Presentation by: Rosemary Kincade, Internal Revenue Service

4. Debt Recovery Initiatives

The Bureau of Fiscal Operations will provide information on the agency’s debt collection 

initiatives. RRB staff will also introduce the new on-line processes the RRB implements to 

recover unemployment and sickness benefits under Sections 2(f) and 12(o) of the RUIA.

Presentation by: Andrea Harris, Bureau of Fiscal Operations, RRB

 Rick Easterday, Sickness & Unemployment Bureau, RRB

5. Employer Coverage Issues 

Do you wonder why some railroads are not covered under the Railroad Retirement Act or why 

some employers segregate their railroad business from their non-railroad business? This 

session will provide the answers to these and many more coverage questions. The session will 

discuss what constitutes coverage under the RRA and RUIA for employers and individual 

employees, the use of contract services, and how decisions are coordinated between RRB, IRS, 

and SSA.

Presentation by: Robert Perbohner, Management Member’s Office, RRB
6. Executive Session 

The Management Member of the Board along with his staff and with the Director of Programs 

will share their perspective on current issues facing the Railroad Retirement Board.

Presentation by: Steven J. Anthony, Management Member

 Natasha Marx, Management Member’s Office

 Dr. Michael A. Tyllas, Director of Programs

7. Experience Rating and Pre-payment Verification 

This session will give you an overview of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) 

claims process and a complete look at the Experience Rating system from A to Z. You will 

learn how your contribution rate is calculated and how the payment and recovery of benefits 

impacts your rate. Finally, you will see what actions you can take to improve your contribution 

rate.

Presentation by: Michele Andrey, Rebecca Streed & George Murphy, Policy and 

Systems, RRB

 Matt Carlyle, Field Service, RRB

8. Field Service Initiatives & RRB Internet for Employees (New) 

This session will provide information on changes in the programs and services available to 

employees and employers through our Bureau of Field Service. This session will also provide 

an overview of employee applications and services currently available. Your input and ideas 

will be welcome!

Presentation by: Michael Petry, Associate Director of Field Service, RRB

 Jackie Hill, Jason Strohm & William Roysdon, Policy and Systems, RRB

9. Future Internet Services for Employers 

This session will briefly cover all the current services available to employers on the Employer 

Reporting System (ERSNet) Internet site. The session will also highlight the benefits to 

employers in using this system; demonstrate new services and discuss future services that will 

be available to employers via the site.

Presentation by: Laretta Earls, Policy and Systems, RRB

10. Introduction to Internet Reporting for Employers 

This session will demonstrate the process for registering your employees for the various on-line 

reporting forms and services that are available in the Employer Reporting System (ERSNet). 

You will receive information on the services available; adding and removing users; access 

levels; and where to find instructions and receive help to navigate the system.

Presentation by: Melodi Sapyta, Policy and Systems, RRB
11. Master the Basics I - Creditable Compensation and Service 

Master the Basics is for anyone who is getting started in the world of railroad retirement. This 

session will give you a working knowledge of railroad retirement terminology and concepts 

and cover the various types of creditable compensation (i.e. back pay, separation allowances, 

pay-for-time-lost). It will also provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to better 

understand Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) annual reporting requirements. No question is 

considered too elementary.

Presentation by: Michael Wietecha, Policy and Systems, RRB

12. Master the Basics II – Filing Reports via ERSNet

This session covers how to effectively complete and file the service and compensation reports 

(BA-3, Annual Report; BA-6a, Address Report; BA-9, Separation Report; and BA-11 Gross 

Earnings Report) via the Employer Reporting System (ERSNet) and how to prepare a prior 

year adjustment (BA-4, Adjustment report). In addition, alternate filing methods for reports 

will be discussed, including FTP and secure e-mail. 

Presentation by: Patrick Keenan, Policy and Systems, RRB

13. Retirement and Survivor Annuities I & II 

This session is intended for those individuals covered under the Railroad Retirement Act, and 

for individuals who work in the human resources area and handle employee questions about 

benefits. The session will discuss eligibility for RRB annuities, calculation of retirement and 

survivor benefits, and factors that affect benefits. Educate yourself before making the allimportant retirement decision!

Presentation by: Joseph Waechter, Management Member’s Office, RRB

14. Short Line and Regional Railroad Issues 

This session is facilitated by Eric O’Neill from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad 

Association. This session is an informal discussion which offers attendees a chance to voice 

their opinions and make suggestions for changes they would like to see. Attendees will also 

learn about new payroll accounting and reporting opportunities available to Short Line 

employers.

Presentation by: Eric O’Neill, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

15. SSA Reporting Issues

This session will highlight new services for employers available through the Internet, common 

errors in filing Forms W-2 and W-3 and how to avoid them, and how discrepancies between 

taxes and earnings are reconciled. The session will explain the options for employers to verify 

social security numbers of their employees and other enumeration issues.

Presentation by, Paul Dieterlie, Social Security Administration
16. Verdicts and Liens

This session will discuss the structure of FELA awards and the issues and effect these awards 

will have on covered employees.

Presentation by: Debra Chesnin, Office of General Counsel, RRB

17. Watching Out for the RRB Trust Funds 

Learn the role that RRB’s IG has in investigating fraud and abuse and hear about some of the 

schemes they have encountered, and cases they have pursued in the interest of protecting the 

RRB’s trust fund resources.

Presentation by: William Fergus, Office of the Inspector General, RRB
SEMINAR REGISTRATION

PART A: General Registration

Name:__________________________________________Title:__________________________

(Please print clearly. This form is used to create name badges and labels.)

Employer:______________________________________________BA Number: __ __ __ __

Telephone:__________________Fax:________________  e-mail_______________________

(If you register on-line and provide an e-mail address, check the e-mail box above and your confirmation will be 

sent via e-mail: otherwise, confirmations will be sent by facsimile.)

For networking purposes, the conference material will include a list of attendees along with their 

employer name, e-mail and telephone number. If you do not want to be included, check this box. 

PART B: Breakout Session Registration

Choose 10 breakout sessions you would like to attend from the enclosed schedule. Please indicate the 

number and the title. If the classes you select fill to capacity we will notify you of any changes we make 

to your schedule. If there are any other topics you would like to see covered during the seminar add 

your comments below on this registration form.

Wednesday, August 26 Thursday, August 27

2:30 _____________________________ 8:30 _______________________________

3:30 _____________________________ 9:30 _______________________________

Friday, August 28 10:30 _______________________________

8:30 _____________________________ 11:30 _______________________________

9:30 _____________________________ 2:30 _______________________________

10:30 _____________________________ 3:30 ________________________________

OtherTopics______________________________________________________________________

PART C: LUNCHEON REGISTRATION

 Register me for the luncheon ($55). 

My entree choice is (check one):

 Short Ribs  Herb Roasted Chicken Breast

 Grilled Salmon  Vegetarian

 I will not attend the luncheon

PART D: PAYMENT

My payment of  $30 (conference only)  $85 (conference and luncheon) was submitted 

through PayPal.

My check or money order for  $30 (conference only)  $85 (conference and luncheon)

payable to "National Rail Employer Seminar”

 is enclosed.

 is being mailed with a copy of the registration. Payment must be

received by July 29. 

***** Please return this form no later than July 29 ***** 

Mail, fax, and web addresses are located on page 2 of the letter