45 U.S.C. § 231n
Railroad Retirement Account
The Railroad Retirement Account established by section 15(a) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [45 U.S.C. 228o(a)] shall continue to be maintained in the Treasury of the United States. There is hereby appropriated to such Account for each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending
In addition to the amount appropriated in subsection (a) of this section, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Railroad Retirement Account for each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending
At the request and direction of the Board, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) to invest such portion of the amounts credited to the Railroad Retirement Account and the Dual Benefits Payments Account as are not transferred to the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust as the Board may determine in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. For such purpose such obligations may be acquired (A) on original issue at the issue price; or (B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under chapter 31 of title 31, are hereby extended to authorize the issuance at par of special obligations exclusively to the accounts. Such obligations issued for purchase by the accounts shall have maturities fixed with due regard for the needs of the accounts, and shall bear interest at a rate equal to the average market yield, computed as of the end of the calendar month next preceding the date of such issue, borne by all marketable interest-bearing notes of the United States then forming a part of the public debt that are not due or callable until after the expiration of three years from the end of such calendar month, except that where such rate is not a multiple of one-eighth of 1 per centum, the rate of interest on such obligation shall be the multiple of one-eighth of 1 per centum nearest such rate: Provided, That the rate of interest on such obligations shall in no case be less than 3 per centum per annum. At the request of the Board the Secretary shall purchase other interest-bearing obligations of the United States, or obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States, or other obligations which are lawful investments for trust funds of the United States, on original issue or at the market price: Provided, That the interest yield of such obligations shall not be less than the interest rate determined in accordance with the preceding sentence. At the request of the Board, the Secretary shall sell at the market price such obligations in the accounts (other than special obligations issued exclusively to the accounts) as the Board designates. The Board shall from time to time request the Secretary to redeem such special obligations issued exclusively to the accounts as the Board designates and upon such request the Secretary shall redeem such obligations at par plus accrued interest. All requests of the Board to the Secretary, provided for in this subsection, shall be mandatory upon the Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Board to determine at all times what proportion of the accounts shall be invested in other than special obligations issued to the accounts and further to determine which of such obligations available to the accounts consistent with the requirements of this subsection will provide the greatest rate of return on the funds invested.
The Board is hereby authorized and directed to select two actuaries, one from recommendations made by representatives of employees and the other from recommendations made by representatives of employers as defined in paragraph (i) of section 231(a)(1) of this title. These actuaries, along with a third who shall be designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, shall be known as the Actuarial Advisory Committee with respect to the Railroad Retirement Account. The actuaries so selected shall hold membership in the American Academy of Actuaries and shall be qualified in the evaluation of pension plans: Provided, however, That these requirements shall not apply to any actuary who served as a member of the Committee prior to
The Board shall include in its annual report a statement of the status and the operations of the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Retirement Supplemental Accounts, and the Dual Benefits Payments Account. At intervals not longer than three years the Board shall make an estimate of the liabilities created by this subchapter and shall include such estimate in its annual report.
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated from time to time such sums as may be necessary to provide for the expenses of the Board in administering the provisions of this subchapter.
The National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Trust”) is hereby established as a trust domiciled in the District of Columbia and shall, to the extent not inconsistent with this subchapter, be subject to the laws of the District of Columbia applicable to such trusts. The Trust shall manage and invest its assets in the manner set forth in this subsection.
The Trust is not a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government of the United States and shall not be subject to title 31.
The Trust shall have a Board of Trustees, consisting of 7 members. Three shall represent the interests of labor, 3 shall represent the interests of management, and 1 shall be an independent Trustee. The members of the Board of Trustees shall not be considered officers or employees of the Government of the United States.
In the event that the parties specified in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of the previous clause cannot agree on the selection of Trustees within 60 days of the date of enactment or 60 days from any subsequent date that a position of the Board of Trustees becomes vacant, an impartial umpire to decide such dispute shall, on the petition of a party to the dispute, be appointed by the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia.
Members of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed only from among persons who have experience and expertise in the management of financial investments and pension plans. No member of the Railroad Retirement Board shall be eligible to be a member of the Board of Trustees.
Except as provided in this subparagraph, each member shall be appointed for a 3-year term. The initial members appointed under this paragraph shall be divided into equal groups so nearly as may be, of which one group will be appointed for a 1-year term, one for a 2-year term, and one for a 3-year term. The Trustee initially selected pursuant to clause (ii)(III) shall be appointed to a 3-year term. A vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall not affect the powers of the Board of Trustees and shall be filled in the same manner as the selection of the member whose departure caused the vacancy. Upon the expiration of a term of a member of the Board of Trustees, that member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed.
The Trust shall be exempt from any income, sales, use, property, or other similar tax or fee imposed or levied by a State, political subdivision, or local taxing authority. The district courts of the United States shall have original jurisdiction over a civil action brought by the Trust to enforce this subsection and may grant equitable or declaratory relief requested by the Trust.
Five members of the Board of Trustees constitute a quorum to do business. Investment guidelines must be adopted by a unanimous vote of the Trustees then holding office. All other decisions of the Board of Trustees shall be decided by a majority vote of the quorum present. All decisions of the Board of Trustees shall be entered upon the records of the Board of Trustees.
The Board shall, upon establishment of the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust and from time to time thereafter, direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer, in such manner as will maximize the investment returns to the Railroad Retirement system, that portion of the Railroad Retirement Account that is not needed to pay current administrative expenses of the Board to the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust. The Secretary shall make that transfer.
The National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust shall from time to time transfer to the disbursing agent described in section 231f(b)(4) of this title or as otherwise directed by the Railroad Retirement Board pursuant to section 231f(b)(4) of this title, such amounts as may be necessary to pay benefits under this subchapter (other than benefits paid from the Social Security Equivalent Benefit Account or the Dual Benefit Payments Account).
Sections 4 and 15 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), which were classified to sections 228c–1 and 228o of this title, have been omitted from the Code.
The Railroad Retirement Tax Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, §§ 3201, 3202, 3211, 3212, 3221, and 3231 to 3233, 68A Stat. 431, which is classified generally to chapter 22 (§ 3201 et seq.) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 3233 of Title 26 and Tables.
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620, as amended. Title II of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.
Sections 204, 206, and 207 of Pub. L. 93–445, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), (3), are sections 204, 206, and 207 of title II of Pub. L. 93–445, and are set out as part of a Transitional Provisions note under section 231 of this title.
Within 60 days of the date of enactment, referred to in subsec. (j)(3)(A)(iii), probably means within 60 days of the date of enactment of Pub. L. 107–90, which enacted subsec. (j) and was approved
2004—Subsec. (j)(4). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(b), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (4) generally, substituting provisions relating to retention of independent advisers, investment of assets, adoption of bylaws, employment of professional staff, possession and exercise of any powers appropriate to carry out purposes of Trust, and payment of administrative expenses, consisting of subpars. (A) to (G), for provisions relating to retention of independent advisers, retention of independent investment managers, investment of assets, payment of administrative expenses, and transfer of moneys for payment of benefits, consisting of subpars. (A) to (E).
Subsec. (j)(5)(B). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(f)(1), substituted “Trustee’s” for “trustee’s” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (j)(5)(C). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(f)(2), substituted “Trustee” for “trustee” wherever appearing and “Trustees” for “trustees” in two places.
Subsec. (j)(5)(D). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(f)(3), substituted “Trustee” for “trustee” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (j)(6). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(c), amended heading and text of par. (6) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to make rules to govern its operations, employ professional staff, and contract with outside advisers, including the Railroad Retirement Board, to provide legal, accounting, investment advisory, or other services necessary for the proper administration of this subsection. In the case of contracts with investment advisory services, compensation for such services may be on a fixed contract fee basis or on such other terms and conditions as are customary for such services.”
Subsec. (j)(7). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(a), substituted “Trustees then holding office” for “entire Board of Trustees”.
Subsec. (j)(8). Pub. L. 108–203, § 426(d), struck out heading and text of par. (8). Text read as follows: “The expenses of the Trust and the Board of Trustees incurred under this subsection shall be paid from the Trust.”
2001—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–90, § 106(c), struck out before period at end “, except those portions of the amounts covered into the Treasury under sections 3211(b), 3221(c), and 3221(d) of such Tax Act as are necessary to provide sufficient funds to meet the obligation to pay supplemental annuities at the level provided under section 231b(e) of this title and, with respect to those entitled to supplemental annuities under section 205(a) of title II of this Act, at the level provided under section 205(a). The Board is directed to determine what portion of the taxes collected under sections 3211(b), 3221(c), and 3221(d) of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act is to be credited to the Railroad Retirement Account pursuant to the preceding provisions of this subsection and what portion of such taxes is to be credited to the Railroad Retirement Supplemental Account pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. The Board shall make such a determination with respect to each calendar quarter commencing with the quarter beginning
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–90, § 106(b), struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: “The Railroad Retirement Supplemental Account established by section 15(b) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 shall continue to be maintained in the Treasury of the United States. There is hereby appropriated to such account for each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–90, § 107(d), inserted at end “The Secretary of the Treasury shall from time to time transfer from the Dual Benefits Payments Account to the disbursing agent under section 231f(b)(4) of this title amounts necessary to pay benefits payable from that Account.”
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–90, § 105(b)(1), substituted “and the Dual Benefits Payments Account as are not transferred to the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust as the Board may determine” for “, the Dual Benefits Payments Account and the Railroad Retirement Supplemental Account as, in the judgment of the Board, is not immediately required for the payment of annuities, supplemental annuities, and death benefits. Such investments may be made only”.
Pub. L. 107–90, § 105(b)(2), (3), substituted “chapter 31 of title 31” for “the Second Liberty Bond Act, as amended” and “the requirements of this subsection” for “the foregoing requirements”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 107–90, § 105(a), added subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 107–90, § 107(a), added subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 107–90, § 107(b), added subsec. (l).
1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–76, § 301(b), amended subsec. (b) generally, redesignating par. (1) as subsec. (b) and striking out par. (2) which read as follows: “In any month when the Board finds that the balance in the Railroad Retirement Account is insufficient to pay annuity amounts due to be paid during the following month, the Board shall report to the Secretary of the Treasury the additional amount of money necessary in order to make such annuity payments, and the Secretary shall transfer to the credit of the Railroad Retirement Account such additional amount upon receiving such report from the Board. The total amount of money outstanding to the Railroad Retirement Account from the general fund at any time during any fiscal year shall not exceed the total amount of money the Board and the Trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund estimate will be transferred to the Railroad Retirement Account pursuant to section 231f(c)(2) of this title with respect to such fiscal year. Whenever the Board determines that the sums in the Railroad Retirement Account are sufficient to pay annuity amounts, the Board shall request the Secretary of the Treasury to retransfer to the general fund from the Railroad Retirement Account all or any part of the amount outstanding, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall make such retransfer of the amount requested. Not later than 10 days after a transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account under section 231f(c)(2) of this title, any amount of money outstanding to the Railroad Retirement Account from the general fund under this subdivision shall be retransferred in accordance with this subdivision. Any amount retransferred shall include an amount of interest computed at a rate determined in accordance with the following two sentences: The rate of interest payable with respect to an amount outstanding for any month shall be equal to the average investment yield for the most recent auction (before such month) of United States Treasury bills with maturities of 52 weeks, deeming any amount outstanding at the beginning of a month to have been borrowed at the beginning of such month. For this purpose the amount of interest computed in accordance with the preceding sentence but not repaid by the end of such month shall be added to the amount outstanding at the beginning of the next month.”
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98–76, § 401(a)(1)–(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “the amount that the Board estimates will be necessary to pay on the first day of the next succeeding month the annuity amounts under sections 231b(h), 231c(e), and 231c(h) of this title and under sections 204(a)(3), 204(a)(4), 206(3), and 207(3) of Public Law 93–445, taking into account any reduction in such annuity amounts as determined under section 231f(c)(1) of this title, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall make such transfer, but at no time shall the total amount of money outstanding to the Dual Benefits Payments Account from the Railroad Retirement Account exceed the amount necessary to pay the annuity amounts under sections 231b(h), 231c(e), and 231c(h) of this title and sections 204(a)(3), 204(a)(4), 206(3), and 207(3) of Public Law 93–445 for one month” for “one-twelfth of the amount which the Board has determined will be the amount of the appropriation to be made to the Dual Benefits Payments Account under the applicable public law making such appropriation for such fiscal year, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall make such transfer”, and inserted “or during” after “prior to” in last sentence.
Subsec. (d)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 98–76, § 401(a)(4), added pars. (2) to (6).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 98–76, § 417(a), added subsec. (i).
1981—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1127(a), made amendments identical to those of Pub. L. 97–34. See Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 97–34 designated existing provisions as subdiv. (1) and added subdiv. (2).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1124(a), substituted provisions relating to creation of Dual Benefits Payments Account, authorizations of appropriations, and transfer and retransfer of funds for provisions relating to authorization of appropriations to Railroad Retirement Account.
Subsecs. (e), (g). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1124(b), (c), inserted reference to Dual Benefits Payments Account.
1976—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–547 permitted Supplemental Account to borrow enough money from regular Railroad Retirement Account to continue payment of supplemental annuities during any period in which Supplemental Account was otherwise temporarily lacking in funds for this purpose, with any amounts so borrowed to be repaid, with interest, as soon as Supplemental Account has been credited with sufficient tax payments to both pay supplemental annuities on a current basis and repay amount of loan, and with authority granted to increase tax rate for calendar quarter following existence of a deficiency in Supplemental Account’s funds to take account of deficiency.
1975—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–92, § 201(a), substituted in second sentence “is hereby appropriated” for “is hereby authorized to be appropriated”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–92, § 201(b), substituted in introductory text “amount appropriated” for “amount authorized to be appropriated”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–92, § 201(c), substituted in second sentence “is hereby appropriated” for “is hereby authorized to be appropriated” and inserted “out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated” after “
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 94–92, § 201(d), added subsec. (h).
Pub. L. 107–90, title I, § 105(d),
Pub. L. 107–90, title I, § 106(e),
Pub. L. 98–76, title III, § 301(c)(2),
Pub. L. 98–76, title IV, § 401(b),
Pub. L. 98–76, title IV, § 417(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35, effective
Pub. L. 94–547, § 3(b),
Pub. L. 94–92, title II, § 201(e),
Advisory committees established after
Pub. L. 107–90, title I, § 105(c),
Pub. L. 107–90, title I, § 106(d),
Pub. L. 107–90, title I, § 107(g),
Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, § 9033,
Pub. L. 98–76, title II, § 224(c),
Pub. L. 98–76, title II, § 232,
Pub. L. 98–76, title IV, § 417(c),
Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 123(b)(5),
Pub. L. 97–35, title XI, § 1126(a),