Exempt Retirees

Look at your timetable and plan your future.

For years, you've had a one-track mind - meeting the needs of BNSF Railway customers and colleagues.

Now that you've retired, it's essential to keep what's really important on the main track - your medical and retirement plans.

BNSF Retirement Plans

The BNSF Retirement Plan (Pension Plan) is a qualified, defined benefit pension plan, which provides retirement benefits to eligible exempt employees. The pension plan is employer paid, and most benefits are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). The pension plan is intended to be one of several sources of retirement income. Other sources of retirement income may include 401(k) plan (The BNSF Investment and Retirement Plan) savings, benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), benefits from Social Security and personal savings.

Exempt employees hired on or before March 31, 2019 became participants in the pension plan when they completed one year of exempt service, provided that they were are at least 21 years of age. Benefits accrued under the pension plan are based on an individual's exempt service, final average earnings and age at the time benefits commence. Exempt employees hired after March 31, 2019 are not eligible for the pension plan; rather, they will receive the Core Contributions from the company in their 401(k) account.

References:

Refer to the plan details for further information. You may request a copy of the plan or direct any pension related questions by calling the BNSF Pension Center at 800-811-0687. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time.

For information on the 401(k) plan, call Vanguard at 800-523-1188 or go to vanguard.com.

BN or SF Retiree – Not Eligible for Medicare

You are not eligible for Medicare, and you were a salaried employee of Burlington Northern (BN) or Santa Fe (SF) at the time the companies merged and remained a salaried employee until retirement.

SF Retiree – Eligible for Medicare

You are eligible for Medicare, and you were a retiree or salaried employee of SF when it merged with Burlington Northern (BN) and remained salaried until retirement.

BN Retiree – Eligible for Medicare

  • You are eligible for Medicare, and you were a retiree or salaried employee of Burlington Northern (BN) when it merged with Santa Fe (SF).

    Plan Details

BNSF Retiree

  • You joined BNSF as a salaried employee after BN and SF merged, or you did not continuously remain in a salaried position after the merger.

    Plan Details

Exempt Retiree Forms and Applications