Railroad retirement benefits for children now apply equally to mothers and fathers

The Railroad Retirement Board is changing its rules to ensure that fathers receive the same benefits as mothers when caring for a minor child. Previously, benefits for fathers ended when the child turned 16, while for mothers they continued until the child turned 18.

This change corrects a long-standing legal disparity that treated male spouses differently from female spouses under the Railroad Retirement Act. It means that families where a father is caring for a minor child will now receive financial support for two additional years, matching the benefits provided to mothers. This aligns the Railroad Retirement Board's rules with constitutional equal protection requirements.