Railroad Board Updates Survivor Benefit Application Forms

2025-23137 — Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Notice of Computer Matching Program (Railroad Retirement Board and Social Security Administration, Match Number 1007)

Starting January 16, 2026, the Railroad Retirement Board and Social Security Administration will team up to share info and make sure benefits are paid right. This new computer matching program helps both agencies check records to prevent mistakes or fraud. It runs for 18 months, with a chance to extend, and affects anyone getting railroad or Social Security benefits.

2025-22996 — Proposed Collection; Comment Request

The Railroad Retirement Board wants your thoughts on their paperwork that helps prove marriage for spouse or widow(er) benefits. If you’re applying, you might fill out forms about your marriage status, but no changes to these forms are planned. They’re asking for comments now to make sure the process is clear and not too much work, with no extra costs or delays expected.

2025-17475 — Eligibility for an Annuity and Family Relationships

The Railroad Retirement Board fixed unfair rules that treated husbands differently from wives when it comes to getting annuities for taking care of a railroad employee’s minor child. Now, both male and female spouses can receive annuities until the child turns 18, not 16. This change ensures equal treatment and protects your benefits starting right away.

2025-17322 — Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

The Railroad Retirement Board is asking for public feedback on a form they use to track employee representatives’ status and pay. This helps make sure the form is clear, useful, and not too much work to fill out. If you’re an employee rep or work with one, your input matters—and you’ve got 30 days to share your thoughts before any changes happen.

2025-11453 — Proposed Collection; Comment Request

The Railroad Retirement Board wants your thoughts on a form railroad employers use every quarter to report and pay unemployment and sickness contributions for their workers. They’re checking if the form is clear, useful, and not too much work, and they’re open to ideas for making it easier—especially with tech. This affects railroad employers and keeps the system running smoothly without extra costs or delays.

2025-10782 — Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

The Railroad Retirement Board is asking for feedback on a form that helps people claim unpaid benefits when a railroad worker dies. This update aims to make the form clearer and easier to use, so folks can get their money without extra hassle. If you’re someone who might apply for these benefits, you’ve got 30 days to share your thoughts before the changes get final.

Previous: 2025-17980 — Agency Information Collection Activity under OMB Review: Certification of Loan Disbursement, Request for Verification of Employment and Request for Verification of Deposit

The Veterans Benefits Administration is updating forms that help verify loan payments, jobs, and bank accounts for veterans. This means veterans and lenders might see some changes in paperwork soon, but no big costs or delays are expected. The government is making sure these forms stay easy to use and don’t waste anyone’s time.

Next: 2025-17982 — Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 189; Withdrawal of Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing; (Pharmaceutical Products); Caledonia and Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing has decided to cancel its plan to start new production activities at its Michigan facilities in Caledonia and Grand Rapids. This means no changes will happen in the Foreign-Trade Zone 189 for now, and no new investments or jobs related to this plan will take place. The withdrawal was officially requested on September 12, 2025, so everyone can update their plans accordingly.