Meeting highlights congressional developments affecting railroad retirees

The National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Inc. presents a program in the Superior area to inform railroad industry workers and retirees about their pension benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act.

The informational meeting begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at the University of Wisconsin Yellowjacket Union, 1605 Catlin Ave. Parking is free in Lot 2 behind Burger King and participation is free.

Pension benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act differ from benefits paid under Social Security, a fact not generally known by the non-railroad public. About 3,465 retirees live in the 7th Congressional District of Wisconsin and there are 12,868 in the state.

In charge of presenting the program will be August “Whitey” Westphal, past National President of North Ridgeville, Ohio. Also appearing will be National President Tom Dwyer, Coon Rapids, Minn., and NARVRE Area 4 Assistant Legislative Director Glen Nelson of Duluth. Jack Hegge of Superior also participates. They will outline the solvency of the pension program for railroad retirees and the rights of retirees under the Railroad Retirement Act. Recent developments in Congress affecting Railroad Retirees will be outlined.

Previously, the pension for the surviving spouse was reduced drastically when a married retiree passed away. NARVRE has worked closely with management and labor to provide funding for an amendment to the Act to allow the survivor to receive no less than what the retiree was receiving in the month prior to his/her death, as is the case under Social Security.

NARVRE was founded over 75 years ago to protect the rights of railroad retirees as granted by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937. Since that time NARVRE has fought numerous battles against encroachment and the dismantling of our railroad retirement system.

NARVRE is the only federally chartered railroad retiree organization that has for its sole purpose the protection, promotion and preservation of the Railroad Retirement Pension System. Pick up material will be furnished. Widows and widowers are welcome to attend.

For information, call Westphal at (440) 452-8427 or Hegge at (218) 428-8892.

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