BLET News
Railroad Retirement benefits will see increase in 2021
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2021 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2019 to the corresponding period of the current year. Cost-of-living increases are calculated in both the tier…
Read MoreRailroad retiree earnings limits set to increase in 2021
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2021 without having their benefits reduced as a result of increases in earnings limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like social security benefits, some railroad retirement benefit payments are subject to deductions if…
Read MoreBLET’s John Tolman retires; Vince Verna is new Vice President & National Legislative Representative
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 30 — After a distinguished railroad career that began nearly 50 years ago, BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman will retire on November 4, 2020. His alternate, Vincent G. Verna, will succeed to his place on the BLET Advisory Board effective November 5, 2020. “It would be trite…
Read MoreOpen enrollment for 2021 Health FSA ends October 31
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 28 — Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2021 benefit will end on October 31, 2020. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year so interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for…
Read MoreSen. Tester condemns “unacceptable” Empire Builder cuts
(Source: Press release from the office of Montana Senator Jon Tester, October 19, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement as Amtrak’s cuts in service to the Empire Builder line, which crosses the entire state of Montana along the Hi-Line, go into effect today. Those cuts reduce the number of trains…
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