The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will continue its operations and process benefits without interruption during the upcoming government shutdown, according to an announcement made on October 1, 2025. The RRB has stated that both Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment & Sickness benefits will be paid on time. Field offices will remain open, though there may be reduced staffing levels, and new claims and benefit applications will still be accepted.
The uninterrupted service is due to the RRB being funded by railroad payroll taxes rather than through the federal government’s annual budget appropriations. This funding structure protects the benefits of railroad workers from disruptions caused by a government shutdown.
Other federal agencies may scale back their operations during a shutdown, but the RRB has assured beneficiaries that retirement, unemployment, and sickness benefits are secure.
“Railroad workers and retirees should not have to worry about the stability of their earned benefits,” said TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea. “The RRB is funded separately, and that ensures our members are protected even during these uncertain times.”
Members are advised that monthly retirement payments will continue as scheduled. Claims for unemployment or sickness can still be filed as usual, although some delays could occur due to limited staffing at RRB offices.
TCU/IAM has pledged to keep monitoring developments and provide updates when necessary. For questions regarding benefits or filing claims, members are encouraged to visit www.rrb.gov or contact their local RRB office.
