Railroad Retirement Act
Latest action. Referred to Senate Committee on Finance.
Railroad Retirement Act - Title I: The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 - Defines the terms used in this Act. Sets forth the annuity eligibility requirements for individuals covered under this Act, their spouses and the survivors of deceased employees. Describes: (1) the procedures for the computation of the amount of employee annuities, taking into account social security benefits and a cost-of-living escalation; and (2) the formulas for computation of spouse and survivor benefits, resulting in an increase in such benefits. Prescribes the beginning and ending dates for annuities and the procedures for application for any payment under this Act. Provides for lump sum payments of annuities to survivors in specified instances. States that this Act shall be administered by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 as an independent agency in the executive branch and composed of three members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Board shall have and exercise all duties and powers necessary to administer this Act. Enumerates additional duties of the Board. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to furnish the Board certified reports of wages, self-employment income, and periods of service and of other records in his possession, or which he may secure, pertinent to the administration of this Act. Sets forth the rules governing judicial review of Board decisions. Requires employers to file with the Board returns of compensation of employees. Outlines the procedures to be followed: (1) on the making of erroneous payments under this Act; (2) for waiver of annuities; and (3) in the case of incompetence of the individual claiming benefits. Provides that the Railroad Retirement Account established by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 shall continue to be maintained in the Treasury of the United States. Authorizes appropriations to such Account for each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, to provide for the payment of benefits to be made from such Account. States that the Railroad Retirement Supplemental Account established by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 shall continue to be maintained in the Treasury of the United States. Authorizes appropriations to such Account for each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, to provide for the payment of supplemental annuities. States that it shall not be unlawful for carriers by railroad subject to this Act to furnish free transportation to individuals receiving annuities under this Act in the same manner as such transportation is furnished to employees in their service. Sets forth guidelines governing: (1) the crediting of service under the Social Security Act; and (2) automatic benefit eligibility requirement adjustments. Title II: Transitional Provisions - Provides for a transition from the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 to this Act by specifying procedures to be followed in the making of annuities, supplemental annuities, death benefits, pensions, and other specified benefits to individuals, spouses, and survivors. Title III: Amendments to the Social Security Act - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act. Title IV: Amendment to the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. Title V: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions and Effective Dates - Sets forth the dates on which specified provisions of this Act shall take effect.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on June 10, 1974. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on June 10, 1974: Referred to Senate Committee on Finance.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 93rd Congress (1973-74), 651 of the 23,396 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 2.8 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
WILLIAM HATHAWAY (D-ME) introduced it on June 10, 1974. No cosponsors are recorded.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on June 10, 1974, 19085 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 19085 days ago, on June 10, 1974.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 93rd Congress has not finished by January 3, 1975 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers