RRB announces spring 2018 conferences and pre-retirement seminars
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 12 — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced a schedule of dates for the agency’s spring 2018 informational conferences and pre-retirement seminars.
Attendance at the informational conferences is limited to elected union officers only, while the pre-retirement seminars are designed for railroad employees and spouses planning to retire within five years or less. Registration is required for both types of meetings.
INFORMATIONAL CONFERENCES
Started in 1957 by the RRB’s Office of the Labor Member, informational conferences are designed to provide rail union officers with a comprehensive overview of the provisions and financing of the railroad retirement and unemployment insurance systems. These officials, in turn, are better prepared to share accurate, reliable information with the members they represent.
Online registration is being offered for most conferences. While mail and fax registration is still available, members can go paperless and register online at the RRB’s Informational Conference Program website.
Informational Conferences are open to union officials and their spouses by invitation only. Labor representatives who do not receive an invitation to a conference in their area should contact the RRB toll-free at (877) 772-5772 and request that they be added to the agency’s invitation database. Registration typically begins at 8:00 a.m., with the programs beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 12:15 p.m.
Tips for attendees:
• If you plan on attending with your spouse or another guest, please indicate so when you register;
• Please let RRB know if you register for a conference and then become unable to attend;
• Please bring your photo identification for entry into Federal buildings (no weapons allowed); and
• Expect parking fees at locations marked with an asterisk (*) below.
Dates and locations of the RRB’s spring 2018 informational conferences are as follows:
March 16, 2018: West Covina, Calif.
West Covina Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway
March 23, 2018: Atlanta, Ga.
Country Inn & Suites, 4500 Circle 75 Parkway
March 23, 2018: Roseville, Calif.
Maidu Community Center, 1500 Maidu Dr.
April 13, 2018: Sandston, Va.
Hilton Garden Inn-Richmond Airport, 441 International Center Dr.
April 13, 2018: St. Louis, Mo.
Drury Inn & Suites (St. Louis Forest Park), 2111 Sulphur Ave.
April 20, 2018: Cincinnati, Ohio*
Huntington Center, 23rd Floor Conference Room, 525 Vine St.
April 20, 2018: New York, N.Y.*
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 6th Floor Conference Room A/B
April 27, 2018: Romulus, Mich.
Holiday Inn Romulus, 8400 Merriman Rd.
April 27, 2018: Ashland, Neb.*
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Highway.
PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARS
Designed for railroad employees and spouses planning to retire within five years or less, Pre-Retirement Seminars will 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, the program began in 2014 on a pilot basis. Pre-Retirement Seminars are open to rank and file railroad employees. However, persons wishing to attend must register by submitting one of the registration forms available on the RRB website.
Seminar space is limited and registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the RRB field office listed on the form as soon as possible. Check-in for each seminar begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program starting at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 1:00 p.m.
Individuals who have not previously submitted documents required for filing a railroad retirement annuity application (such as proof of age, marriage, or military service) are encouraged to bring this material to the seminar (original documents or certified copies required). Attendees should also bring along an additional copy of each item to leave with the RRB seminar staff.
Those unable to attend the seminars but still seeking pre-retirement information should contact the RRB field office where they live. Individual retirement counseling is available in person or by phone. Contact the RRB toll-free at (877) 772-5772.
Dates and locations of the RRB’s spring 2018 pre-retirement seminars are as follows:
March 23, 2018: Roseville, Calif.
Maidu Community Center, 1500 Maidu Dr.
April 13, 2018: Patterson, N.J.
Robert A. Roe Federal Building, 200 Federal Plaza, 5th Floor (Room 527)
May 11, 2018: Roanoke, Va.
Roanoke South County Library, 6303 Merriman Rd.
May 23, 2018: Bismarck, N.D.
IBEW Local 714 Union Hall, 1800 Commerce Dr.
Monday, February 12, 2018
bentley@ble-t.org