The RRB is a US agency that administers retirement benefits to railroad workers who work in, or into, the United States.  Division 528 employees who operate trains to the US at anytime in their career are subject to RRB deductions by US law.

These deductions will appear on your pay-stub under the following headings:

• RRB Tier 1

• RRB Tier 1 Health

• RRB Tier 2

First and foremost it must be understood that the RRB Pension is non-refundable and non-transferable.  If you are not vested in the RRB pension plan after retirement, death or disability,  your contributions are banked into a interest account where proceeds are shared among the American Association of Railroads.

US Federal Law dictates that any Railroad employee working into the United States must contribute a percentage of earnings to the RRB which  is a arm of the US Social Security Program.  The Canadian employers operating trains into the US are bound by the same law and must make these deduction accordingly.

In order to qualify to be vested in the RRB Plan, one of two criteria must be met.  A Canadian railroad employee working into the United States prior to December 31 2000 became vested in the plan when 120 months of contributions were realized.  Changes to the act implemented by President Bush on said date now allow railroad employees to be vested with 60 months of accredited contributions commencing December 31, 2000.

Upon becoming vested in the plan, eligible CP Rail RTE's are entitled to a retirement pension at age 60 which is subject to the "Double Stacking of Railroad Pension's Provision" included in the CP Rail Pension Services Plan.  This means CP will reduce the Canadian Portion of your pension based on the benefits you receive from the RRB.  For example, if your monthly pension is $3000 per month, and your RRB entitlement is $300 per month, CP will only pay you $2700 and expect you to collect the balance from the RRB.  For this reason it is important to contact the RRB and become vested in their plan.

The Clinton Government discontinued issuance of US Social Security Numbers to Canadian railroaders in 1994 and the RRB now implements a generic ID number using the numerals 999 and the CP Rail Employee number to track contributions.

Here is the local offices which provide information for 528 members:

 

Buffalo Office RRB 186 Exchange Street, Suite 110 Buffalo, NY 14204-2026 Hours - 9:00 AM thru 3:30 PM  Monday thru Friday except US Holidays Phone: (716) 551-4141 FAX:  (716) 551-3802 Link to secure message site to contact office via internet here

Detroit Office RRB McNamara Federal Building 477 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 1199 Detroit, MI 48226-2596 Hours - 9:00 AM thru 3:30 PM  Monday thru Friday except US Holidays Phone: (313) 226-6221 FAX:  (313) 226-4233 Link to secure message site to contact office via internet here

Please use the above provided links to get the ball rolling. Here are some links to on-line resources to get you started as well:

RRB Homepage

US Social Security On-line

Form G-70 Protest of Record of Service