2011-17644. 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 three Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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 the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date.

1. Title and Purpose of information collection: Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights; OMB 3220-0016.

Under Section 2(e)(2) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), an age and service annuity, spouse annuity, or divorced spouse annuity cannot be paid unless the RRB has evidence that the applicant has ceased railroad employment and relinquished rights to return to the service of a railroad employer. The procedure pertaining to the relinquishment of rights by an annuity applicant is prescribed in 20 CFR 216.24. Under Section 2(f)(6) of the RRA, earnings deductions are required each month an annuitant works in certain nonrailroad employment termed Last Pre-Retirement Non-Railroad Employment.

Normally, the employee, spouse, or divorced spouse relinquishes rights and certifies that employment has ended as part of the annuity application process. However, this is not always the case. In limited circumstances, the RRB utilizes Form G-88, Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights, to obtain an applicant's report of termination of employment and relinquishment of rights. One response is required of each respondent. Completion is required to obtain or retain benefits.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (76 FR 24066 on April 29, 2011) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0016.

Form(s) submitted: G-88.

Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Under Section 2(e)(2) of the Railroad Retirement Act, the Railroad Retirement Board must have evidence that an annuitant for an age and service, spouse, or divorced spouse annuity has ceased railroad employment and relinquished their rights to return to the service of a railroad employer. The collection provides the means for obtaining this evidence.

Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no revisions to Form G-88.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated Completion Time for Form G-88 is estimated at 6 minutes.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 3,600.

Total annual responses: 3,600.

Total annual reporting hours: 360.

2. Title and Purpose of information collection: Statement of Authority to Act for Employee; OMB 3220-0034.

Under Section 5(a) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), claims for benefits are to be made in accordance with such regulations as the RRB shall prescribe. The provisions for claiming sickness benefits as provided by Section 2 of the RUIA are prescribed in 20 CFR 335.2. Included in these provisions is the RRB's acceptance of forms executed by someone else on behalf of an employee if the RRB is satisfied that the employee is sick or injured to the extent of being unable to sign forms.

The RRB utilizes Form SI-10, Statement of Authority to Act for Employee, to provide the means for an individual to apply for authority to act on behalf of an incapacitated employee and also to obtain the information necessary to determine that the delegation should be made. Part I of the form is completed by the applicant for the authority and Part II is completed by the employee's doctor. One response is requested of each respondent. Completion is required to obtain benefits.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (76 FR 24066 on April 29, 2011) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Statement of Authority to Act for Employee.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0034.

Form(s) submitted: SI-10.

Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Under 20 CFR 335.2, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) accepts claims for sickness benefits by other than the sick or injured employees, provided the RRB has the information needed to satisfy itself that the delegation should be made.

Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form SI-10.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated Completion Time for Form SI-10 is estimated at 6 minutes.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 400.

Total annual responses: 400.

Total annual reporting hours: 40.

3. Title and Purpose of information collection: Statement Regarding Contributions and Support; OMB 3220-0099.

Under Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act, dependency on an employee for one-half support at the time of the employee's death can affect (1) entitlement to a survivor annuity when the survivor is a parent of the deceased employee; (2) the amount of spouse and survivor annuities; and (3) the Tier II restored amount payable to a widow(er) whose annuity was reduced for receipt of an employee annuity, and who was dependent on the railroad employee in the year prior to the employee's death. One-half support may also negate the public service pension offset in Tier I for a spouse or widow(er). The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) utilizes Form G-134, Statement Regarding Contributions and Support, to secure information needed to adequately determine if the applicant meets the one-half support requirement. One response is requested of each respondent. Completion is required to obtain benefits.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (76 FR 24066 on April 29, 2011) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Statement Regarding Contributions and Support.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0099.

Form(s) submitted: G-134.

Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Dependency on the employee for one-half support at the time of the employee's death can be a condition affecting eligibility for a survivor annuity provided for under Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act. One-half support is also a condition which may negate the public service pension offset in Tier I for a spouse or widow(er).

Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no revisions to Form G-134.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated Completion Time for Form G-134 is estimated at 147 minutes with assistance to 180 minutes without assistance.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 100.

Total annual responses: 100.

Total annual reporting hours: 259.

Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer at [phone] or [e-mail].

Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Patricia Henaghan, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2092 or [e-mail] and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, Fax: [phone], E-mail address: [e-mail].

Charles Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.