2010-20475. 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 two (2) 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 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.

1. Title and purpose of information collection:

Employer Service and Compensation Reports, 3220-0070.

Section 2(c) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) specifies the maximum normal unemployment and sickness benefits that may be paid in a benefit year. Section 2(c) further provides for extended benefits for certain employees and for beginning a benefit year early for other employees. The conditions for these actions are prescribed in 20 CFR part 302.

All information about creditable railroad service and compensation needed by the RRB to administer Section 2(c) is not always available from annual reports filed by railroad employers with the RRB (OMB 3220-0008). When this occurs, the RRB must obtain supplemental information about service and compensation. The RRB utilizes Form(s) UI-41, Supplemental Report of Service and Compensation, and UI-41a, Supplemental Report of Compensation, to obtain the necessary information. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Completion of the forms is mandatory. One response is required from a respondent. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (75 FR 21370 on April 23, 2010) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Employer Service and Compensation Reports.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0070.

Form(s) submitted: UI-41, UI-41a.

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

Affected public: Business or other for-profit.

Abstract: The reports obtain the employee's service and compensation for a period subsequent to those already on file and the employee's base year compensation. The information is used to determine the entitlement to and the amount of benefits payable.

Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form(s) UI-41 and UI-41a.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated annual number of respondents: 30.

Total annual responses: 3,000.

Total annual reporting hours: 400.

2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection

Supplement to Claim of Person Outside United States; 3220-0155.

Under the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Pub. L. 98-21), which amended Section 202(t) of the Social Security Act, the Tier I or the O/M (overall minimum) portion of an annuity and Medicare benefits payable under the Railroad Retirement Act to certain beneficiaries living outside the U.S., may be withheld effective January 1, 1985. The benefit withholding provision of Public Law 98-21 applies to divorced spouses, spouses, minor or disabled children, students, and survivors of railroad employees who (1) Initially became eligible for Tier I amounts, O/M shares, and Medicare benefits after December 31, 1984; (2) are not U.S citizens or U.S. nationals; and (3) have resided outside the U.S for more than six consecutive months starting with the annuity beginning date. The benefit withholding provision does not apply, however to a beneficiary who is exempt under either a treaty obligation of the U.S., in effect on August 1, 1956, or a totalization agreement between the U.S. and the country in which the beneficiary resides, or to an individual who is exempt under other criteria specified in Public Law 98-21. RRB Form G-45, Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States, is currently used by the RRB to determine applicability of the withholding provision of Public Law 98-21. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Completion of Form G-45 is required to obtain or retain benefits. One response is required of each respondent. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (75 FR 21685 & 21686 on April 26, 2010) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0155.

Form(s) submitted: G-45.

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

Affected public: Individuals or households.

Abstract: Under Public Law 98-21, the Tier I or overall minimum portion of an annuity and Medicare benefits payable under the Railroad Retirement Act to certain beneficiaries living outside the United States may be withheld. The collection obtains the information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the benefit withholding provisions of Public Law 98-21.

Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-45.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Estimated annual number of respondents: 100.

Total annual responses: 100.

Total annual reporting hours: 17 .

For Further Information Contact: 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 Patricia A. Henaghan, 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.