E9-14527. Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

Summary: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request a revision to a currently approved collection of information. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

The RRB invites comments on the proposed collections of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collections; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date.

Application for Survivor Death Benefits; OMB 3220-0032

Under Section 6 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), benefits that may be due on the death of a railroad employee or a survivor annuitant include (1) a lump-sum death benefit, (2) a residual lump-sum payment, (3) accrued annuities due but unpaid at death, and (4) monthly survivor insurance payments. The requirements for determining the entitlement of possible beneficiaries to these benefits are prescribed in 20 CFR part 234.

When the RRB receives notification of the death of a railroad employee or survivor annuitant, an RRB field office utilizes Form RL-94-F, Survivor Questionnaire, to secure additional information from surviving relatives needed to determine if any further benefits are payable under the RRA. Completion is voluntary. One response is requested of each respondent. The completion time for the RL-94-F is estimated at between 5 to 11 minutes.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (74 FR 10971 on March 13, 2009) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Survivor Questionnaire.

OMB Control Number: OMB 3220-0032.

Form(s) submitted: RL-94-F.

Expiration date of current OMB clearance: 6/30/2009.

Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Under Section 6 of the Railroad Retirement Act, benefits are payable to the survivors or the estates of deceased railroad employees. The collection obtains information about the survivors if any, the payment of burial expenses and administration of estate when unknown to the Railroad Retirement Board. The information is used to determine whether and to whom benefits are payable.

Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes non-burden impacting editorial changes to Form RL-94-F.

The total burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated annual number of respondents: 8,000.

Total annual responses: 8,000.

Total annual reporting hours: 1,391.

Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the form and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer, at (312-751-3363) or [e-mail].

Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or [e-mail] and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Charles Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.