William O. Lipinski Federal Building – Chicago, IL

Railroad Retirement Board Headquarters

The William O. Lipinski Federal Building, located at 844 North Rush Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood, serves as the national headquarters for the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). This historic 15-story building, constructed in 1923, houses the federal agency responsible for administering retirement, survivor, unemployment, and sickness benefits for the nation’s railroad workers and their families. It is one of the few federal agencies headquartered outside of Washington, D.C.

Agency Functions

The RRB operates independently of the Social Security Administration, although the two systems are coordinated. At this headquarters location, the agency manages:

• Benefit Administration: Processing and payment of retirement annuities and unemployment claims for railroad employees.
• Actuarial Services: Determining the long-term financial solvency of the railroad retirement system.
• Records Management: Maintaining extensive service and compensation records for railroad workers nationwide.

Access and Visitor Information

While the building contains federal offices, public access is controlled. The RRB field office located here assists visitors with benefit questions and applications, but appointments are strongly recommended to ensure service. Business hours for public inquiries are typically limited to mid-day on weekdays. All visitors must pass through security screening upon entering the lobby. The building’s location near the Magnificent Mile makes it highly accessible via public transit, though street parking in the immediate vicinity is scarce and metered.