Prepared by Public Affairs 312-751-4777

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board is notifying rail and labor employers that the Employer Reporting System, a new Internet service developed for filing information related to the reporting of employee service and compensation data, is now available for use on the Board's Web site at www.rrb.gov.

The Board greatly encourages use of the new Internet service as Web-based forms should improve accuracy and timeliness and can reduce the reporting burden on employers through such features as pre-filled data, real-time confirmation of data, e-mail reminders of reporting requirements, and reports of processing results. Employers who participated in preliminary testing of the service commented favorably on its performance.

Whether employers submit their annual employee service and compensation reports on magnetic tape, computer disk, or a paper form, they can now electronically file the following three forms: "Report of Compensation Adjustments" (Form BA-4); "Record of Employer Determination on Employee Protest" (Form GL-129a); and "BA-6 Address Report" (Form BA-6a), an address report provided by rail employers and used by the Board for mailing certificates of service months and compensation to rail employees. Employers can also access a new summary report of monthly and yearly compensation adjustments totals which is solely available on-line. Paper versions of the three forms will, nevertheless, remain available for employers who choose not to use the service.

Instructions for gaining access to the service are available on the home page of the Board's Web site under the heading "Employer Reporting" by selecting "Program Letters to Employers" and then selecting "Program Letter 04-02."

The Employer Reporting System is the latest addition to the Board's Internet services which can also provide employees with statements of individual railroad service and compensation history, and retirees with replacement Medicare cards, duplicate benefit information statements for income tax purposes, and annuity rate verification letters.

For more information about the Employer Reporting System, contact system administrator 
Carol Arnold at (312) 751-4833 or the Quality Reporting Service Center at (312) 751-4992. Questions or comments can also be sent via e-mail to webcomments@rrb.gov.

###