BNSF News

Railroad Retirement System: Did You Know?

2010-04-26

Note: To commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Railroad Retirement system, BNSF News will share facts periodically about the system that may not be common knowledge.

The rail industry in 1874 was the first to establish a formal industrial pension plan in North America, and by 1925, more than 75 percent of U.S. railroad workers were covered by pension plans.

However, relatively few railroad workers actually received benefits under these plans. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the plans had difficulty meeting their obligations.

Railway labor sought legislation to continue railroad pensions as part of a reliable and equitable national program. Legislation was enacted in 1934, 1935 and 1937 to establish a Railroad Retirement System separate from the Social Security program, which was enacted in 1935.

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BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com