[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60127-60128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30184]
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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Privacy Act of 1974: Computer Matching Programs--OPM/Social
Security Administration
AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.
ACTION: Publication of notice of computer matching to comply with
Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of
1988.
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SUMMARY: OPM is publishing notice of its computer matching program with
the Social Security Administration (SSA) to meet the reporting and
publication requirements of Pub. L. 100-503. The purpose of this match
is for SSA to disclose benefit information to OPM to offset specific
benefits.
[[Page 60128]]
DATES: The matching program will begin in December, 1996, or 40 days
after agreements by the parties participating in the match have been
submitted to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget,
whichever is later. Any public comment on this matching program must be
submitted within the 30 day public notice period, which begins on the
publication date of this notice. The matching program will continue for
18 months from the beginning date and may be extended an additional 12
months thereafter. The data exchange will begin at a date mutually
agreeable between OPM and SSA after December 1, 1996, unless comments
are received which will result in a contrary determination. Subsequent
matches will take place annually on a recurring basis until one of the
parties advises the other, in writing, of its intention to reevaluate,
modify and/or terminate the agreement.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Kathleen M. McGettigan, Assistant Director,
Financial Control and Management; Office of Personnel Management; 1900
E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415; or deliver to OPM, Room 4312, 1900 E
Street NW, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marc Flaster, (202) 606-0640.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM and SSA intend to conduct a computer
matching program, as described below. The purpose of this agreement is
to establish the conditions under which SSA agrees to the disclosure of
benefit information to OPM. The SSA records will be used in a matching
program with OPM's records on surviving spouses who may be eligible to
receive a Supplementary Annuity, disability retirees, and child
survivor annuitants, under the Federal Employees' Retirement System
(FERS). The benefits payable to these recipients are offset if paid
while also in receipt of SSA benefits. OPM will use the SSA data to
verify the earnings information provided directly to OPM by the
recipients.
Office of Personnel Management
James B. King,
Director.
Report of Computer Matching Program Between the Office of Personnel
Management and Social Security Administration
A. Participating Agencies
OPM and SSA.
B. Purpose of the Matching Program
Chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), requires OPM to
offset specific benefits by a percentage of benefits payable under
Title II of the Social Security Act. The matching will enable OPM to
compute benefits at the correct rate and determine eligibility for
benefits.
C. Authority for Conducting the Match Program
Chapter 84, title 5, United States Code.
D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match
The SSA records involved in the match are SSA benefit status and
amount and identifying information in order to match records (Master
Files of Social Security Number Holders, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0058 and
Master Beneficiary Record, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0090, last published at
69 FR 2144, January 6, 1995). The OPM records consist of annuity data
from its system of records entitled OPM/Central 1--Civil Service
Retirement and Insurance Records, last published in the Federal
Register at 60 FR 63075, December 8, 1995.
E. Description of Matching Program
As frequently as daily, OPM will provide SSA with an extract from
the annuity master file and from pending claims snapshot records via
the File Transfer Management System (FTMS). The extracted file will
contain identifying information concerning the disability annuitant,
child survivor, or surviving spouse who may be eligible for a
Supplemental annuity under FERS. Each record will be matched to SSA's
records and requested information transmitted back to OPM.
F. Privacy Safeguards and Security
The personal privacy of the individuals whose names are included in
the files transmitted are protected by strict adherence to the
provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB's ``Guidance Interpreting
the Provisions of Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy
Protection Act of 1988''. Access to the records used in the data
exchange is restricted to only those authorized employees and officials
who need it to perform their official duties. Records matched or
created will be stored in an area that is physically safe. Records used
in this exchange and any records created by this exchange will be
processed under the immediate supervision and control of authorized
personnel in a manner which will protect the confidentiality of the
records. The records matched and records created by the match will be
transported under appropriate safeguards. Both SSA and OPM have the
right to make onsite inspections or make other provisions to ensure
that adequate safeguards are being maintained by the other agency.
G. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program
This computer matching program is subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget and the Congress. OPM's report to these
parties must be received at least 40 days prior to the initiation of
any matching activity. If no objections are raised by either, and the
mandatory 30-day public notice period for comments has expired for this
Federal Register notice with no significant adverse public comments in
receipt resulting in a contrary determination, then this computer
matching program becomes effective on the date specified above. By
agreement between OPM and SSA, the matching program will be in effect
and continue for 18 months with an option to renew for 12 additional
months under the terms set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D).
[FR Doc. 96-30184 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M
