Railroad Board Freezes Penalties After Losing Inflation Data
Published Date: 5/21/2026
Notice
Summary
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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Program Fraud Penalty Stays $14,308
For 2026, the maximum civil penalty under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act will remain $14,308, the same amount as in 2025. This amount was specifically confirmed by the Railroad Retirement Board in its May 19, 2026 notice.
False Claims Act Penalties Unchanged
For 2026, the Railroad Retirement Board confirmed the minimum civil penalty under the False Claims Act will remain $14,308 and the maximum will remain $28,618, the same levels as in 2025. These amounts will not be increased for inflation in 2026.
No 2026 Penalty Inflation Increase
The Railroad Retirement Board announced that civil monetary penalties will not be adjusted for inflation for 2026 and will stay at the same dollar amounts set for 2025. The Office of Management and Budget advised agencies on April 17, 2026, that the 2026 adjustment was cancelled because October 2025 CPI-U data were unavailable.
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Key Dates
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