Personnel Management Office 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 213.103.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 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 a revised information collection. This information collection, ``Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions Civil Service Retirement System'' (OMB Control No. 3206- 0128; Standard Form 2802), is used to support the payment of monies from the Retirement Fund. It identifies the applicant for refund of retirement deductions. ``Current/Former Spouse's Notification of Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0128; Standard Form 2802A), is used to comply with the legal requirement that any spouse or former spouse of the applicant has been notified that the former employee is applying for a refund.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-503), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs (54 FR 25818 published June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular No. A-130, revised November 28, 2000, ``Management of Federal Information Resources,'' the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is publishing notice of its new computer matching program with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing a proposed rule that would redefine the geographic boundaries of the Chicago, IL; Fort Wayne-Marion, IN; Indianapolis, IN; Cleveland, OH; and Pittsburgh, PA, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Benton County, IN, from the Chicago wage area to the Indianapolis wage area; Carroll and Howard Counties, IN, from the Fort Wayne-Marion wage area to the Indianapolis wage area; and Carroll County, OH, from the Pittsburgh wage area to the Cleveland wage area. These changes are based on recent consensus recommendations of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to a nearby FWS survey area. No other changes are proposed for the Chicago, Fort Wayne-Marion, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh FWS wage areas.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 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 comments on a revised information collection. This information collection, ``Health Benefits Election Form'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0160; SF 2809), is used by Federal employees, annuitants other than those under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) including individuals receiving benefits from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, former spouses eligible for benefits under the Spouse Equity Act of 1984, and separated employees and former dependents eligible to enroll under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage provisions of the FEHB law (5 U.S.C. 8905a). A different form (OPM 2809) is used by CSRS and FERS annuitants whose health benefit enrollments are administered by OPM's Retirement Operations. 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 18,000 SF 2809 forms are completed annually. Each form takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 9,000 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Cyrus S. Benson on (202) 606- 4808, FAX (202) 606-0910 or via e-mail to Cyrus.Benson@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

The Office of Personnel Management will hold a public meeting on June 25, 2010, as part of its hiring reform initiative to hear and consider views on whether normal, competitive hiring is an effective avenue for bringing recent college graduates into the Federal workforce. On May 11, 2010, President Obama issued a Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies in which he stated that ``the Federal Government must recruit and hire highly qualified employees and public service should be a career of choice for the most talented Americans.'' This public meeting will constitute one phase of that initiative.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an extension of an already existing information collection request (ICR) 3206-0001, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. This information collection, ``Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS),'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0170; Standard Form 3106), is used by former Federal employees under FERS, to apply for a refund of retirement deductions withheld during Federal employment, plus any interest provided by law. ``Current/Former Spouse(s) Notification of Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions Under FERS,'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0170; Standard Form 3106A) is used by refund applicants to notify their current/former spouse(s) that they are applying for a refund of retirement deductions, which is required by law.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-503), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs (54 FR 25818 published June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular No. A-130, revised November 28, 2000, ``Management of Federal Information Resources,'' the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is publishing notice of its new computer matching program with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 10413, 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 a new information collection. ``Request for Case Review for Enhanced Disability Annuity Benefit'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0XXX). Due to recent court orders, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must compute, or recomputed as applicable, the disability annuities for individuals who performed service as law enforcement officers, firefighters, nuclear materials carriers, Customs and Border Patrol officers, members of the Capitol and the Supreme Court police, Congressional employees, members of Congress, and air traffic controllers. Because these court orders were handed down long after some of the affected individuals retired and/or died and they are not identified in the OPM computer systems, it is necessary for these individuals to self-identify. Form RI 20-123 is needed on the OPM website so these individuals and their survivors can make the request.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 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 a revised information collection. This information collection, ``We Need Important Information About Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0216; Form RI 98-7), is used by OPM to verify receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits, to lessen or avoid overpayment to Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) disability retirees. It notifies the annuitant of the responsibility to notify OPM if SSA benefits begin and the overpayment that will occur with the receipt of both benefits.

The National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations is cancelling its June 2, 2010 meeting and rescheduling that meeting for June 7, 2010. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and will be held in Room 1416, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC. The dates for all Council meetings for the remainder of 2010 were announced in the April 30, 2010, Federal Register (75 FR 22871). Interested parties should consult the Council Web site at https://www.lmrcouncil.gov for the latest information on Council activities, including changes in meeting dates.

OPM proposes to update and amend OPM/Central-9, Personnel Investigations Records contained in its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. This action is necessary to meet the requirements of the Privacy Act to publish in the Federal Register notice of the existence and character of records maintained by the agency (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for comments on a revised information collection. This information collection, ``Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) Survivor Annuitant Express Pay Application for Death Benefits'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0233; Form RI 25-51), will be used by the Civil Service Retirement System solely to pay benefits to the widow(er) of an annuitant. This application is intended for use in immediately authorizing payments to an annuitant's widow or widower, based on the report of death, when our records show the decedent elected to provide benefits for the applicant.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. ``Reemployment of Annuitants'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0211; 5 Section 837.103), requires agencies to collect information from retirees who become employed in Government positions. Agencies need to collect timely information regarding the type and amount of annuity being received so the correct rate of pay can be determined. Agencies provide this information to OPM so a determination can be made whether the reemployed retiree's annuity must be terminated.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is proposing to amend its regulations to provide for continuation of Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage for certain former Senate Restaurant employees who transferred to employment with a private contractor. We are also proposing to change the annual FEHB Program Open Season from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December, to November 1st through November 30th of each year. We are also adding a new opportunity for eligible employees to enroll in the FEHB Program or to change enrollment from self only to self and family under the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Finally, we are proposing to allow FEHB plans to offer three options, without the requirement that one of the options be a high deductible health plan.

The Human Resources Solutions, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an existing information collection request (ICR) 3206-0246, SFS Registration. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35) as amended by the Clinger-Cohen Act (Pub. L. 104-106), OPM is soliciting comments for this collection. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing proposed regulations that would implement the ruling in the case of Fathauer v. United States, 566 F.3d 1352 (Fed. Cir. 2009). In this decision the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that part- time employees are covered under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5546(a), the statute governing the payment of Sunday premium pay for work performed on Sundays. The revised Sunday premium pay regulations would eliminate references to ``full-time'' employees, which will permit Sunday premium payments to part-time employees, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5546(a). Prevailing rate employees are entitled to payment of Sunday premium pay, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5544(a). Consistent with the reasoning in the Fathauer decision, OPM has determined that part-time prevailing rate employees are covered under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5544(a).

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-503), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs (54 FR 25818 published June 19, 1989), and OMB Circular No. A-130, revised November 28, 2000, ``Management of Federal Information Resources,'' the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is publishing notice of its new computer matching program with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. This information collection, ``Annuity Supplement Earnings Report'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0194; Form RI 92-22), is used each year to obtain the earned income of Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuitants receiving an annuity supplement. The annuity supplement is paid to eligible FERS annuitants who are not retired on disability and are not yet age 62. The supplement approximates the portion of a full career Social Security benefit earned while under FERS and ends at age 62. Like Social Security benefits, the annuity supplement is subject to an earnings limitation.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. This information collection, ``Representative Payee Application'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0140; Form RI 20-7), is used by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to collect information from persons applying to be fiduciaries for annuitants or survivor annuitants who appear to be incapable of handling their own funds or for minor children. ``Information Necessary for a Competency Determination'' (OMB Control No. 3206-0140; Form RI 30-3), collects medical information regarding the annuitant's competency for OPM's use in evaluating the annuitant's condition.

This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 213.103.

The National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations will hold its initial meeting on February 26, 2010, at the time and location shown below. The Council is an advisory body composed of representatives of Federal employee organizations, Federal management organizations and senior government officials. The Council was established by Executive Order 13522, entitled, ``Creating Labor- Management Forums to Improve Delivery of Government Services,'' which was signed by the President on November 9, 2009. Along with its other responsibilities, the Council will assist in the implementation of Labor Management Forums throughout the government and will make recommendations to the President on innovative ways to improve delivery of services and products to the public while cutting costs and advancing employee interests. The Council is co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget.

The President adjusted the rates of basic pay and locality payments for certain categories of Federal employees effective in January 2010. This notice documents those pay adjustments for the public record.

This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 213.103.