03-11730. Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of an Information Collection

AGENCY:

Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of an information collection. RI 20-63, Survivor Annuity Election for a Spouse, is used by annuitants to elect a reduced annuity with a survivor annuity for their spouse. RI 20-116 is a cover letter for RI 20-63 giving information about the cost to elect less than the maximum survivor annuity. This letter may be used to decline to elect. RI 20-117 is a cover letter for RI 20-63 giving information about the cost to elect the maximum survivor annuity. This letter may be used to ask for more information or to decline to elect.

RI 20-117 is accompanied by RI 20-63A, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse, or RI 20-63B, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse When You Are Providing a Former Spouse Annuity. Both books explain the election. RI 20-63A is for annuitants who do not have a former spouse who is entitled to a survivor annuity benefit; RI 20-63B is for those who do have a former spouse who is entitled to a benefit. These books do not require OMB clearance. They have been included because they provide the annuitant additional information.

Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Approximately 2,200 RI 20-63 forms are returned each year electing survivor annuities and 200 annuitants return the cover letter to ask for information about the cost to elect less than the maximum survivor annuity or to refuse to provide any survivor benefit. It is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes to complete the form with a burden of 1,800 hours and 10 minutes to complete the letter, which gives a burden of 34 hours. The total burden for RI 20-63 is 1,834 hours.

For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on [phone], FAX [phone] or via e-mail to [e-mail]. Please include a mailing address with your request.

DATES:

Comments on this proposal should be received on or before July 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Send or deliver comments to—Ronald W. Melton, Chief, Operations Support Group, Center for Retirement and Insurance Services, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Room 3349, Washington, DC 20415-3540.

FOR INFORMATION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATION CONTACT:

Cyrus S. Benson, Team Leader, Publications Team, RIS Support Services, [phone].

Office of Personnel Management.

Kay Coles James,

Director.