Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act

This bill, the Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act of 2026, aims to enhance the financial stability and operational efficiency of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) by establishing a new dedicated administrative account. It creates the Railroad Retirement Board Administrative Account within the Treasury, making funds permanently available for administering the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The Board is authorized to transfer necessary amounts from existing retirement and unemployment insurance funds, subject to specific annual limitations based on benefit payments or trust fund assets. A key provision is the creation of a Railroad Retirement Technology Fund within the Administrative Account, specifically earmarked for modernizing the RRB's outdated legacy benefit processing systems. The bill mandates initial transfers of $10 million for fiscal year 2027 and $20 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2031 into this Technology Fund, with funds available until fiscal year 2032. Additionally, the legislation authorizes further appropriations for unforeseen administrative expenses and continued modernization efforts beyond fiscal year 2032. To ensure accountability and effective modernization, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct two reports. An initial report will provide recommendations for modernizing the RRB's systems, drawing lessons from other federal agencies' experiences. A follow-up GAO report will assess the Board's progress, adherence to recommendations, and remaining modernization costs by early fiscal year 2032.