RRBFinal Rule

Plan of Operation During a National Emergency; Delegations of Authority and Lines of Succession

Labor & WorkplaceFinance & Banking

Summary

This regulation establishes procedures for how the Railroad Retirement Board will continue operating and make decisions if a national emergency occurs, such as a natural disaster or crisis that disrupts normal government operations. It clarifies who is in charge, in what order, if key leaders become unavailable, ensuring that railroad workers' retirement and disability benefits continue without interruption.

Key Points

  • 1The Railroad Retirement Board has created a chain of command that specifies who takes over leadership roles if top officials cannot perform their duties during a national emergency
  • 2The regulation ensures that railroad worker retirement, disability, and survivor benefits keep flowing even when normal government operations are disrupted
  • 3It defines what counts as a 'national emergency' and outlines the specific procedures the agency must follow to maintain essential functions
  • 4The plan allows the agency to delegate authority to lower-level officials so critical decisions can be made quickly without waiting for unavailable leaders
  • 5This affects approximately 630,000 railroad workers and retirees who depend on the Railroad Retirement Board for their benefits

Key Dates

Published

June 23, 2025

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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