Bill · S. 4965· Senate(119-S-4965)
Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 8/4/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
- Sponsored by
- Bill Cassidy
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a Railroad Retirement Board Administrative Account within the Treasury to fund the administration of the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. It creates a specific Technology Fund to help the Board modernize its legacy benefit processing systems. The legislation sets specific limits on how much money can be transferred into the administrative account during different fiscal years. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to submit reports regarding information technology modernization efforts. Finally, it includes provisions regarding the premium due date for single employer plans.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+1
The bill aims to modernize the systems used to process retirement and benefit claims for seniors.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+1
The modernization of benefit systems provides better administrative stability for those receiving specialized retirement benefits.
Would union members be better off under this?+1
The bill involves consultation with rail unions and supports the administration of unemployment insurance for their members.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill imposes specific downward limits on the percentage of funds that can be transferred into the administrative account over time.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Modernization of Benefit Systems: The creation of a Railroad Retirement Technology Fund is intended to help the Board complete the modernization of its legacy benefit processing systems (Section 2(a)(3)).
-
Support for Unforeseen Needs: The bill authorizes the appropriation of necessary sums for additional administrative expenses regarding unforeseen needs related to processing benefit claims (Section 2(a)(4)(A)).
-
Expert Guidance for Modernization: The Comptroller General is required to provide a report with recommendations for legislation and administrative action to help modernize legacy systems, utilizing lessons learned from other Federal agencies (Section 3(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Strict Transfer Limitations: The bill imposes specific limits on the amount of funds the Board can transfer to the administrative account, which changes from a 1.25 percent limit for fiscal years 2027-2031 to a 1.15 percent limit for fiscal year 2032 and beyond (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Specific Use Restrictions: Funds transferred from the Social Security Equivalent Benefits Account and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Administration Fund are restricted to specific administrative expenses (Section 2(a)(2)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+1Good For Seniors+1Good For Union Workers+1Good For Veterans+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+1
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Unemployment Benefits+1Reduces Government Spending-1
- 8/4/2026
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
- 7/30/2026
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont