E8-20300. Proposed Data Collection(s) Available for Public Comment and Recommendations

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

1. Title and Purpose of Information Collection

Employee's Certification; OMB 3220-0140

Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), provides for the payment of an annuity to the spouse or divorced spouse of a retired railroad employee. For the spouse or divorced spouse to qualify for an annuity, the RRB must determine if the employee's current marriage to the applicant is valid.

The requirements for obtaining documentary evidence to determine valid marital relationships are prescribed in 20 CFR 219.30 through 219.35. Section 2(e) of the RRA requires that an employee must relinquish all rights to any railroad employer service before a spouse annuity can be paid.

The RRB uses Form G-346 to obtain the information needed to determine whether the employee's current marriage is valid. Form G-346 is completed by the retired employee who is the husband or wife of the applicant for a spouse annuity. Completion is required to obtain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent.

The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-346. The RRB estimates that 6,900 G-346's will be completed annually at an estimated completion time of five minutes per response. Total respondent burden is estimated at 575 hours.

2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection

Application and Claim for RUIA Benefits Due at Death; OMB 3220-0055

Under Section 2(g) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), benefits under that Act that accrued but were not paid because of the death of an employee shall be paid to the same individual(s) to whom benefits are payable under Section 6(a)(1) of the Railroad Retirement Act. The provisions relating to the payment of such benefits are prescribed in 20 CFR 325.5 and 20 CFR 335.5.

The RRB provides Form UI-63 for use in applying for the accrued sickness or unemployment benefits unpaid at the death of the employee and for securing the information needed by the RRB to identify the proper payee. Completion is voluntary. One response is requested of each respondent.

The RRB proposes non-burden impacting editorial changes (for clarification purposes) and formatting changes to Form UI-63. The completion time for Form UI-63 is estimated at 7 minutes. The RRB estimates that approximately 200 responses are received annually. Total annual respondent burden is estimated at 23 hours.

Additional Information or Comments: To request more information regarding either of the information collections listed above or to obtain copies of the information collection justifications, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at [phone] or send an e-mail request to [e-mail]. Comments regarding the information collections should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or via an e-mail to [e-mail]. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Charles Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.