RRB Updates Medicare Forms for Railroad Workers' Families
Published Date: 1/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The Railroad Retirement Board is updating and adding forms to help railroad workers and their families apply for Medicare benefits more easily. They want your feedback on how to make these forms clearer and less of a hassle. If you’re a railroad retiree or family member, these changes could affect how and when you apply for Medicare, so keep an eye out and share your thoughts soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Medicare Part B enrollment form (AA-23)
If you are a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary, the Railroad Retirement Board will use a new Form AA-23 to collect information to decide if you can enroll in Medicare Part B through the Initial Enrollment Period, a Special Enrollment Period, or the General Enrollment Period. You must complete this form so the RRB can determine your enrollment eligibility.
New Part B SEP form for exceptional conditions (AA-24)
If you are a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary claiming an exceptional condition for a Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period, the RRB will use new Form AA-24 to collect the information needed to decide if you are entitled to that Special Enrollment Period. You must submit the form for the RRB to make that determination.
Updated Medicare application forms (AA-6, AA-7, AA-8)
If you have not yet filed for railroad retirement Act benefits, the RRB uses Forms AA-6 (Employee), AA-7 (Spouse/Divorced Spouse), and AA-8 (Widow/Widower) to get the information needed to decide whether you qualify for Medicare payments under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. You must complete the appropriate form for the RRB to determine qualification for Medicare.
Employer group health plan evidence form (RL-311-F)
If you are a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary with employer group health plan (EGHP) coverage, the RRB will use Form RL-311-F to collect the basic information needed to establish your EGHP coverage for benefit purposes. You must provide this information so the RRB can establish EGHP coverage status.
Forms are required to get Medicare benefits
If you want Medicare payments through the railroad retirement system, you must complete the applicable RRB forms; completion is required to obtain a benefit and the agency requests one response from each respondent. Providing the requested form(s) is a necessary step to receive Medicare through the RRB.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16251, Jurisdiction Determinations
The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to reflect statutory amendments granting jurisdiction to the Board to pay benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act and under Title II of the Social Security Act to railroad employees and auxiliary beneficiaries who have less than ten years of railroad service, but at least five years after 1995. The amendment also adds divorced spouses to the list of auxiliary beneficiaries to whom the Board will pay benefits in accordance with controlling law. The existing regulation is no longer consistent with the statutory criteria in the Railroad Retirement Act for jurisdictional determinations and is therefore facially unlawful.
2026-16250, Determining Disability
The Railroad Retirement Board amends its regulations to update the amount of monthly allowable earnings for a disability annuitant to reflect the formula in section 2(e)(4) of the Railroad Retirement Act. The existing regulation is no longer consistent with the statutory formula in the Railroad Retirement Act for the maximum monthly allowable earnings for a disability annuitant and is therefore facially unlawful.
2026-14437, Proposed Collection; Comment Request
The Railroad Retirement Board wants your thoughts on updates to a form used when someone quits their job and applies for unemployment benefits. They’ve made some wording clearer and added a question about efforts to fix problems before leaving work. If you’re affected, these changes might save you time and help the agency get better info—comments are open now, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
2026-12805, Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment
The government is raising the fines for breaking certain rules to keep up with inflation. This means anyone who faces civil penalties will see higher maximum fines starting soon. The update helps keep penalties fair and effective by adjusting the amounts to today’s dollars.
2026-10206, Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment
The Railroad Retirement Board announced that civil monetary penalties won’t go up in 2026 because the government couldn’t get the inflation data needed to adjust them. This means penalties will stay the same as in 2025, affecting anyone who might face fines under these rules. So, no surprise hikes next year—penalties hold steady, keeping things predictable!
2026-10078, Annuity Beginning and Ending Dates
If you’re a railroad worker with 30 years of service turning 60, good news! Starting June 22, 2026, you can begin your annuity without having to take a reduced monthly benefit like before. This change means more money in your pocket sooner, and it fixes old rules that didn’t match the law.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01642, Product Change-Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage® Negotiated Service Agreement
The Postal Service is teaming up with a partner to offer special deals on Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage® shipping. This new contract means customers can enjoy negotiated prices and better options starting soon. If you send packages, keep an eye out for these fresh, money-saving shipping choices!
Next: 2025-01645, Certain Glass Substrates for Liquid Crystal Displays, Products Containing the Same, and Methods for Manufacturing the Same; Notice of Institution of Investigation
Corning Incorporated has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate certain glass used in LCD screens, claiming others are copying their patented tech and trade secrets. This could lead to stopping imports and sales of these products in the U.S., protecting American industry and innovation. If the investigation moves fast, companies might need to change how they make or sell these glass parts soon, possibly affecting prices and availability.