UNITED STATES RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD - 1

Program

Letter

 United States

 Railroad Retirement Board

 Office of Programs

 

Quality Reporting Service Center

Email: QRSC@RRB.GOV 

Phone: (312) 751-4992

 Fax: (312) 751-7123

Letter No. 2018-04 Date: May 29, 2018

TO: Certification Contact Officials

SUBJECT: National Rail Employer Training Seminar

This letter provides all the information needed to register for the Tenth Triennial National Rail 

Employer Training Seminar (NRETS) to be held August 8, 9, and 10, 2018, at the Palmer House 

Hilton Hotel, in Chicago, Illinois. There is a registration fee of $30.00 to help cover the costs of 

refreshments and other incidentals. Seminar attendees are responsible for their 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 Railroad Retirement Board (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 (RRA).

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, Ms. Kimberly A. Price. Also, the RRB’s 

Senior Executive Officer, Mr. Daniel Fadden will discuss the agency’s strategic plans and goals 

for the future. 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. Six 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 two new sessions, including one covering the fundamentals of Internet 

reporting and the other on RRB debt collection matters.
UNITED STATES RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD - 2

Also a representative 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 providing information on our automation efforts. Each attendees should 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 online 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 an 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. The online link to the NRETS registration process will be available on the 

home page beginning May 29.

Or you can:

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

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.

A check or money order can also be sent to the address shown below. Please indicate when the 

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

Photocopies are acceptable.

Mail registration to: U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

Quality Reporting Service Center

844 North Rush Street

Chicago, IL 60657-1275

FAX registration to: (312) 751-7123

Please register as soon as possible but no later than, July 29, 2018. We will accommodate 

reservations received after that date, but we require a count of attendees by July 29th for meeting 

room and contract purposes. Confirmations of registration and payment will be sent to attendees 
UNITED STATES RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD - 3

by email upon receipt. Confirmations will include directions to the hotel. If you do not receive 

your confirmation notice within two weeks of the seminar, contact the Quality Reporting Service 

Center by telephone at (312) 751-4992 or email to QRSC@RRB.GOV.

Hotel Reservations

The seminar is being held at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, 

Illinois 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 $193 per day plus 17.4% tax (King Size Only). A limited number of rooms are being held for 

check-in the day before the seminar. If you plan to arrive on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, please 

make your reservations early. 

To make reservations by phone, call the Palmer House Hilton Hotel at 1-877-865-5321 and 

reference the event group code “RRB”. To make online reservations, click the following link

https://book.passkey.com/e/49694793 and from the guest type menu select “attendee”. Enter your 

date preferences and click “Find” at the top of the page. Reservations must be received by July 

9th to receive the discounted rate. Do not delay, register today! 

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 $57.00 and advance reservations and payment are required. 

Attendance at the luncheon is optional. Each entrée includes a Caesar Salad and Strawberry 

Pound Cake with Hersey’s Chocolate Sauce & Strawberry Sweet Cream. The entrée is as 

follows:

A Duet of Petit Filet & Oven Basted Chicken Breast marinated in Rosemary and Garlic 

with the Chef’s Choice of vegetable and side. 

A vegetarian entrée of Rigatoni Primavera seasonal vegetables, garlic, basil roasted tomatoes, 

aged parmigiana-reggiano for individuals with special dietary restrictions. 

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 require a special lunch meal or accommodations, 

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

August.
UNITED STATES RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD - 4

Enclosures: Descriptions of Breakout Sessions

Schedule of Sessions

Seminar Registration Form
BREAKOUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 2018

(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.

2. CT-1 Tax Issues

This session will address Form CT-1 reporting issues and how to make corrections on Form CT-1X. 

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

errors will also be addressed.

3. Debt Collection Matters (New)

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

and discuss unapplied cash resolution efforts. 

4. Employer Coverage Issues 

Do you wonder why some railroads are not covered under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) 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 the RRB, the IRS, and SSA.

5. Executive Session 

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

their perspectives on current issues facing the RRB.

6. 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.

7. Field Service Initiatives & RRB Internet for Employees 

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 online. Your input and ideas will be welcome!
BREAKOUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 2018

(In alphabetical order by title.)

No. Topic 

8. Fundamentals of Internet Reporting for Employers (New)

This session will cover the fundamentals needed to successfully perform internet reporting with the 

RRB using the Employer Reporting System (ERSNet). Specifically, the session will cover the benefits 

to electronic reporting, internet requirements, how to register, modify, and remove access for users, 

security responsibilities, where to find instructions, and a review existing and future services available 

to employers via the site.

9. Master the Basics I - Creditable Compensation and Service 

“Master the Basics I” 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.

10. 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 of Creditable Compensation; BA-6a, Form BA-6 Address Report; BA-9, Report of 

Separation Allowance or Severance Pay; and BA-11,Report of Gross Earnings) via ERSNet and how 

to prepare a prior year adjustment (BA-4, Report of Creditable Compensation Adjustment). Alternate

filing methods for reports will also be discussed.

11. RRB Cyber Security and Online Website Protection

This session will provide an overview on new initiatives to allow for faster, more secure, and efficient 

data processing. It will also cover the agency’s efforts to protect employee personal identity 

information (PII) through multi-factor authentication.

12. Retirement and Survivor Annuities I & II 

This session is intended for those individuals covered under the RRA 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 effect

benefits. This is the session to educate yourself before making the all-important retirement decision!

13. Short Line and Regional Railroad Issues 

This session, facilitated by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, is an 

informal discussion offering 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.
BREAKOUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 2018

(In alphabetical order by title.)

No. Topic 

14. 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.

15. Verdicts and Liens

This session will discuss the structure of FELA awards and the recent Supreme Court ruling on stock 

options and the effect these types of awards will have on covered employees.

16. 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.
SCHEDULE and LOCATION of BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Wednesday, August 8th

1:30

PM General Session

Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5

2:30 -

3:15

PM

Master the Basics 

I #9

Field Service & 

RRB Internet for 

Employees #7

Watching Out for 

the RRB Trust 

Funds #16

Executive 

Session #5 Verdicts & Liens #15

3:30 –

4:15

PM

Master the Basics 

II #10

Field Service & 

RRB Internet for 

Employees #7

Fundamentals of 

Internet Reporting 

for Employers #8

Employer

Coverage Issues 

#4

RRB Cyber Security 

#11

Thursday, August 9th

Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5

8:30 -

9:15

AM

Ret & Survivor 

Annuities I #12a

Master the Basics I 

#9

SSA Reporting 

Issues # 14

Verdicts & Liens 

#15

RRB Cyber Security 

#11

9:30 -

10:15

AM

Ret & Survivor 

Annuities II #12b

Master the Basics 

II #10

CT-1 Tax Issues 

#2

Audits of 

Employers #1

RRB Cyber Security 

#11

10:30 -

11:15

AM

Watching Out for 

the Trust Fund #16

Field Service & 

RRB Internet for 

Employees #7

SSA Reporting 

Issues # 14

Verdicts & Liens 

#15

Experience Rating and 

Pre-Payment #6

11:30

AM -

12:15

PM

Fundamentals of 

Internet Reporting 

for Employers #8

Debt Collection 

Matter’s #3

CT-1 Tax Issues 

#2

Audits of 

Employers #1

Experience Rating and 

Pre-Payment #6

12:30

PM Refreshment Cash Bar and Catered Luncheon

2:30 -

3:15

PM

Ret & Survivor 

Annuities I #12a

Master the Basics I 

#9

SSA Reporting 

Issues # 14

Short Line Issues 

#13

Experience Rating and 

Pre-Payment #6

3:30 -

4:15

PM

Ret & Survivor 

Annuities II #12b

Master the Basics 

II #10

CT-1 Tax Issues

#2

Employer 

Coverage #4

Field Service & RRB 

Internet for Employees 

#7 

Friday, August 10th

Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5

8:30 -

9:15

AM

Audits of 

Employers #1

Ret & Survivor 

Annuities I #12a

Watching Out for 

the RRB Trust 

Funds #16

Fundamentals of 

Internet 

Reporting for 

Employers #8

Debt Collection 

Matter’s #3

9:30 -

10:15

AM

Short Line Issues 

#13

Ret & Survivor 

Annuities II #12b

Employer

Coverage #4

Master the 

Basics I #9

Watching Out for the 

RRB Trust Funds #16

10:30 -

11:15

AM

Short Line Issues 

#13

Experience Rating 

& Pre-Payment 

Verification

Debt Collection 

Matter’s #3

Master the 

Basics II #10 Verdicts & Liens #15
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: ______________________________  Email _____________________________

(Confirmations will be sent via email.)

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

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

PART B: Breakout Session Registration

Choose 11 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 topics you would like to see covered during the 

seminar, please add your comments below on this registration form.

Wednesday, August 8th Thursday, August 9th

2:30 PM ___________________________ 8:30 AM ______________________________

3:30 PM ___________________________ 9:30 AM ______________________________

Friday, August 10th 10:30AM ______________________________

8:30 AM ___________________________ 11:30AM ______________________________

9:30 AM ___________________________ 2:30 PM ______________________________

10:30 AM ___________________________ 3:30 PM ____________________________

Other Topics __________________________________________________________________

PART C: LUNCHEON REGISTRATION

 Register me for the luncheon ($57). 

My entree choice is (check one):

 Duet of Petit Filet & Oven Basted Chicken Breast

 Rigatoni Primavera (Vegetarian Option)

 I will not attend the luncheon.

PART D: PAYMENT

My payment of  $30 (conference only)  $87 (conference & luncheon) was submitted 

through PayPal.

My check or money order for  $30 (conference only)  $87 (conference & luncheon)

payable to "National Rail Employer US Railroad Retirement Board”

 is enclosed.

 is being mailed with a copy of the registration.

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

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