Prepared by Public Affairs 312-751-4777
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), like other Federal agencies, is required
by the Government Performance and Results Act to submit a strategic plan to
Congress and the Office of Management and Budget outlining the agency's mission
and its general goals and objectives. These plans cover a six-year period,
define how the agency will meet those goals and objectives, and are updated
every three years. The RRB submitted its "Strategic Plan" for the years
2003-2008 to the Congress and the Office of Management and Budget in September
2003. Its previous Strategic Plan for the years 2000-2005 was submitted in
September 2000.
The following questions and answers provide information on the RRB's Strategic
Plan for the years 2003-2008.
1. What are the purposes of the
Government Performance and Results Act?
In summary, the purposes of this Act are to improve the confidence of the
American people in the Federal Government by holding agencies accountable for
achieving program results; improve Federal program effectiveness and public
accountability by focusing on results, service quality and customer
satisfaction; enable Congress to more accurately evaluate an agency's
performance by providing more objective information on the objectives and costs
of Federal programs; and improve the internal management of the Federal
Government.
To achieve these purposes, the Act requires that agencies set program goals and
prepare plans for meeting those goals. The Act provides a framework whereby an
agency's performance will be measured against the goals it has set and also
requires each agency to publicly report on the progress it has made.
2. What are the goals and objectives of
the RRB's Strategic Plan?
The RRB has two strategic goals; and for each goal several strategic
objectives have been established to enable the agency to focus on achieving that
goal.
The first strategic goal is to provide excellent customer service. The second
strategic goal is to serve as responsible stewards for its customers' trust
funds and agency resources.
3. What strategic objectives were
established to achieve the goal of providing excellent customer service?
To satisfy its customers' expectation for quality service, both in terms of
service delivery options and levels and manner of performance, the RRB has
established the following four strategic objectives that focus on the specifics
of achieving this goal.
- Pay benefits accurately and timely.
- Provide relevant, timely and accurate information which is easy to
understand.
- Provide a range of choices in service delivery methods.
- Ensure efficient and effective business interactions with covered
railroad employers.
4. What strategic objectives were
established to achieve the goal of responsible stewardship?
Committed to fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities to the rail community,
the RRB has established the following four objectives that direct its focus on
this goal.
- Ensure that trust fund assets are projected, collected, recorded, and
reported appropriately.
- Ensure the integrity of benefit programs.
- Ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and security of operations.
- Effectively carry out the responsibilities of the Railroad Retirement
Board under the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001
with respect to the activities of the National Railroad Retirement Investment
Trust (NRRIT).
5. What is the NRRIT?
The NRRIT was created by the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement
Act of 2001 in order to manage and invest railroad retirement assets. The RRB's
responsibilities include reviewing the NRRIT's monthly reports, annual
management reports, and annual audit reports of its financial statements in
order to ensure the NRRIT's compliance with the provisions of the Railroad
Retirement Act.
6. How did the RRB develop this Strategic
Plan?
This plan continues a cooperative and intensive effort on the part of the
RRB's management and staff and reflects input from its customers and other
stakeholders.
The RRB's primary stakeholders are the employees and employers of the rail
industry. Stakeholders also include Congressional committees, the Office of
Management and Budget, other Federal agencies with whom the RRB interacts, and
the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust.
7.What steps does the RRB take to ensure
achievement of the Strategic Plan's goals?
In order to ensure achievement of strategic goals, the Government Performance
and Results Act requires that each agency also develop an annual performance
plan, which is submitted along with the agency's budget request for a fiscal
year. The annual performance plans lay out specific goals and objectives, along
with performance indicators and specific measurable targets. After the fiscal
year, each agency must also report on how well it met the plan's goals.
The RRB's latest performance report, for fiscal year 2002, was included with the
agency's annual performance plan for fiscal year 2005. The report compared
actual performance to goals, with the RRB meeting or exceeding 77 percent of the
reportable indicators. In those areas where the agency fell short, a number of
steps have been taken to ensure performance levels are met in subsequent years.
The RRB is proud of its strategic plan and expects that the plan will guide the
agency as it continues its long and distinguished tradition of excellence in
service to its customers. The RRB has a proven track record of carrying out its
plans and achieving results. The RRB believes that this strategic plan, along
with the annual performance plans and sufficient budget resources, will help the
agency to achieve the results its customers need and deserve.
The complete plan
is available on the RRB's Web site at www.rrb.gov.
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