Wage Credits for Veterans and Members of the Uniformed Services, 11863-11865 [05-4638]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 46 / Thursday, March 10, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
2B116 Vibration Test Systems, Equipment
and Components Therefor, as Follows (See
List of Items Controlled)
*
*
*
*
*
List of Items Controlled
Unit: * * *
Related Controls: * * *
Related Definitions: * * *
Items:
a. Vibration test systems employing
feedback or closed loop techniques and
incorporating a digital controller, capable of
vibrating a system at an acceleration equal to
or greater than 10 g rms between 20 Hz to
2,000 Hz and imparting forces equal to or
greater than 50 kN (11,250 lbs.), measured
‘‘bare table’’;
b. Digital controllers, combined with
specially designed vibration test ‘‘software’’,
with a real-time bandwidth greater than 5
kHz and designed for use with vibration test
systems described in 2B116.a;
c. Vibration thrusters (shaker units), with
or without associated amplifiers, capable of
imparting a force equal to or greater than 50
kN (11,250 lbs.), measured ‘bare table’, and
usable in vibration test systems described in
2B116.a;
d. Test piece support structures and
electronic units designed to combine
multiple shaker units into a complete shaker
system capable of providing an effective
combined force equal to or greater than 50
kN, measured ‘bare table’, and usable in
vibration test systems described in 2B116.a.
Technical Note: ‘bare table’ means a flat
table, or surface, with no fixture or fitting.
16. In Supplement No. 1 to part 774
(the Commerce Control List), Category
9—Propulsion Systems, Space Vehicles,
and Related Equipment, Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) 9A106 is
amended by revising the ‘‘items’’
paragraph in the List of Items Controlled
section, to read as follows:
I
9A106 Systems or Components, Other
Than Those Controlled by 9A006, Usable in
‘‘Missiles’’, as Follows (see List of Items
Controlled), and Specially Designed for
Liquid Rocket Propulsion Systems
*
*
*
*
*
List of Items Controlled
Unit: * * *
Related Controls: * * *
Related Definitions: * * *
Items:
a. Ablative liners for thrust or combustion
chambers;
b. Rocket nozzles;
c. Thrust vector control sub-systems;
Technical Note: Examples of methods of
achieving thrust vector control controlled by
9A106.c includes:
1. Flexible nozzle;
2. Fluid or secondary gas injection;
3. Movable engine or nozzle;
4. Deflection of exhaust gas steam (jet
vanes or probes); or
5. Thrust tabs.
d. Liquid and slurry propellant (including
oxidizers) control systems, and specially
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18:17 Mar 09, 2005
Jkt 205001
designed components therefor, designed or
modified to operate in vibration
environments greater than 10 g rms between
20 Hz and 2000 Hz.
Note: The only servo valves and pumps
controlled by 9A106.d, are the following:
a. Servo valves designed for flow rates
equal to or greater than 24 liters per minute,
at an absolute pressure equal to or greater
than 7 MPa, that have an actuator response
time of less than 100 ms;
b. Pumps, for liquid propellants, with shaft
speeds equal to or greater than 8,000 rpm or
with discharge pressures equal to or greater
than 7 MPa.
e. Flight control servo valves designed or
modified for use in ‘‘missiles’’ and designed
or modified to operate in a vibration
environment greater than 10g rms over the
entire range between 20Hz and 2 kHz.
17. In Supplement No. 1 to part 774
(the Commerce Control List), Category
9—Propulsion Systems, Space Vehicles
and Related Equipment, Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) 9A107 is
amended by revising the Heading, to
read as follows:
I
9A107 Solid Propellant Rocket Engines,
Usable in Rockets With a Range Capability
of 300 Km or Greater, Other Than Those
Controlled by 9A007, Having Total Impulse
Capacity Equal to or Greater Than 8.41 µ
105 Ns, but less than 1.1 µ 106 (These Items
are Subject to the Export Licensing Authority
of the U.S. Department of State, Directorate
of Defense Trade Controls. See 22 CFR part
121.)
*
*
*
*
*
18. In Supplement No. 1 to part 774
(the Commerce Control List), Category
9—Propulsion Systems, Space Vehicles
and Related Equipment, Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) 9B106 is
amended by revising the ‘‘items’’
paragraph of the List of Items Controlled
section, to read as follows:
I
9B106 Environmental Chambers and
Anechoic Chambers, as Follows (see List of
Items Controlled)
*
*
*
*
Frm 00037
Fmt 4700
generating a broad band random vibration
(i.e., power spectrum).
b. Environmental chambers capable of
simulating all of the following flight
conditions:
b.1. Acoustic environments at an overall
sound pressure level of 140 dB or greater
(referenced to 2 × 10¥5 N/m2) or with a total
rated acoustic power output of 4kW or
greater; and
b.2. Any of the following:
b.2.a. Altitude equal to or greater than
15,000 m; or
b.2.b. Temperature range of at least 223K
(¥50° C) to 398 K (+125° C).
19. In Supplement No. 1 to part 774
(the Commerce Control List), Category
9—Propulsion Systems, Space Vehicles
and Related Equipment, Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) 9B117 is
amended by revising the Heading, and
the ‘‘items’’ paragraph in the List of Items
Controlled section, to read as follows:
I
9B117 Test Benches and Test Stands for
Solid or Liquid Propellant Rockets, Motors
or Rocket Engines, Having Either of the
Following Characteristics (see List of Items
Controlled)
*
*
*
*
*
List of Items Controlled
Unit: * * *
Related Controls: * * *
Related Definitions: * * *
Items:
a. The capacity to handle solid or liquid
propellant rocket motors or rocket engines
having a thrust greater than 90 kN; or
b. Capable of simultaneously measuring
the three axial thrust components.
Dated: March 3, 2005.
Matthew S. Borman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export
Administration.
[FR Doc. 05–4626 Filed 3–9–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–33–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
*
List of Items Controlled
Unit: * * *
Related Controls: * * *
Related Definitions: * * *
Items:
a. Environmental chambers capable of
simulating all of the following flight
conditions:
a.1. Vibration environments equal to or
greater than 10 g rms, measured ‘‘bare table’’,
between 20 Hz and 2,000 Hz imparting forces
equal to or greater than 5 kN; and
a.2. Any of the following:
a.2.a. Altitude equal to or greater than
15,000 m; or
a.2.b. Temperature range of at least 223 K
(¥50° C) to 398 K (+125° C);
Technical Note: Item 9B106.a describes
systems that are capable of generating a
vibration environment with a single wave
(e.g., a sine wave) and systems capable of
PO 00000
11863
Sfmt 4700
20 CFR Part 404
RIN 0960–AF90
Wage Credits for Veterans and
Members of the Uniformed Services
AGENCY:
Social Security Administration
(SSA).
ACTION:
Final rules.
SUMMARY: We are amending our rules on
wage credits for veterans and members
of the uniformed services. The revisions
are required by the Department of
Defense Appropriations Act of 2002 and
the Social Security Protection Act of
2004. The enactments changed a Social
Security Act requirement providing
deemed military wage credits for service
as members of the uniformed services
E:\FR\FM\10MRR1.SGM
10MRR1
11864
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 46 / Thursday, March 10, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
on active duty or active duty for training
beginning in 1957 (when that service
was first covered for Social Security
purposes on a contributory basis). The
provisions provide for the termination
of such deemed military wage credits
effective with military wages earned
after December 31, 2001. The wage
credits will continue to be given for
periods prior to calendar year 2002.
DATES: These regulations are effective
March 10, 2005.
Electronic Version: The electronic file
of this document is available on the date
of publication in the Federal Register
on the Internet site for the Government
Printing Office, https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/. It is
also available on the Internet site for
SSA (i.e., Social Security Online) at
https://policy.ssa.gov/pnpublic.nsf/
LawsRegs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marylin Buster, Social Insurance
Specialist, Office of Income Security
Programs, Social Security
Administration, 6401 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401,
(410) 965–2490 or TTY (410) 966–5609.
For information on eligibility, claiming
benefits, or coverage of earnings, call
our national toll-free number, 1–800–
772–1213 or TTY 1–800–325–0778.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Beginning in 1957, earnings of
members of the uniformed services
became covered for Social Security
purposes. In 1968, Congress added a
new section in the Social Security Act
(section 229) providing for deemed
military wage credits for active duty
service and requiring Social Security to
deem wage credits to the earnings
record of uniformed service members
when determining benefit entitlement
and payment. Subsequently, the
provision for the wage deeming program
was made retroactive to 1957. The
deemed military wage credits were
granted in recognition that active
service members did not get Social
Security credit for the value of pay in
kind such as food, shelter, and medical
care, which is generally counted for
other jobs covered under Social
Security. However, due to the lower pay
of service members, it was decided that
it would be unfair to have the service
members pay additional Federal
Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax.
The Trust Funds were to be reimbursed
from general revenues on a current basis
for the added cost of benefits, much the
way the trust funds were reimbursed for
gratuitous wage credits.
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18:17 Mar 09, 2005
Jkt 205001
The amount of deemed military wage
credits changed over the years. The last
change in 1977, provided for the
crediting of deemed military wages of
$100 for every $300 of covered military
wages up to a maximum of $1,200 in
deemed military wage credits per year.
This modification was due to the change
to annual wage reporting from quarterly
wage reporting.
In 1983, the method of financing
deemed military wage credits changed
by authorizing the General Fund of the
Treasury to reimburse to the Trust
Funds the amount of FICA tax (both
employer and employee shares) that
would have been paid on the deemed
military wages had they been actual
earnings. Before enactment of the 1983
amendments, the Social Security trust
funds were reimbursed annually by
Treasury (i.e., general revenues), based
on an amortization schedule, for the
cost of additional Social Security
benefits attributable to the deemed
military wage credits for military service
for the period after 1956. The 1983
amendments changed the financing
structure so that the Trust funds are
reimbursed for an amount equal to the
Social Security taxes that would have
been imposed annually if the deemed
wage credits had been remuneration for
employment.
Section 8134 of The Department of
Defense Appropriations Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107–117) modified the
requirement of providing deemed
military wage credits for service as
members of the uniformed services on
active duty or active duty for training
beginning in 1957 (when that service
was first covered for Social Security
purposes on a contributory basis). With
this modification, military wage credits
will no longer be provided for military
wages earned after December 31, 2001.
In 2004, a technical amendment in
section 420 of Pub. L. 108–203, the
Social Security Protection Act of 2004
amended section 229 of the Act to
reflect section 8134 of Pub. L. 107–117
which ended the wage deeming program
after 2001. The wage credits will
continue to be given for periods prior to
calendar year 2002. These qualifying
periods of military service include
active service during the World War II
period September 16, 1940 through July
24, 1947, the post-World War II period
July 25, 1947, through December 31,
1956, and members of the uniformed
service on active duty after 1956 and
before 2002.
Explanation of Changes
We are revising §§ 404.1301,
404.1302, and 404.1341 to reflect the
termination of automatic across-the-
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Sfmt 4700
board wage credits effective with
military wages earned after December
31, 2001. The wage credits will continue
to be applied for periods prior to
calendar year 2002.
Regulatory Procedures
Pursuant to section 702(a)(5) of the
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5),
as amended by section 102 of Public
Law 103–296, SSA follows the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
rulemaking procedures specified in 5
U.S.C. 553 in the development of its
regulations. The APA provides
exceptions to its notice and public
comment procedures when an agency
finds there is good cause for dispensing
with such procedures on the basis that
they are impracticable, unnecessary, or
contrary to the public interest.
In the case of these final rules, we
have determined that, under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), good cause exists for
dispensing with the notice and public
comment procedures. Good cause exists
because these regulations merely
conform our rules on deeming military
wage credits to current law. The Agency
has operated in accordance with the
revised laws since January 2002. These
regulations contain no substantive
changes of interpretation. Therefore,
opportunity for prior comment is
unnecessary, and we are issuing these
regulations as final rules.
In addition, we find good cause for
dispensing with the 30-day delay in the
effective date of a substantive rule,
provided for by 5 U.S.C. 553(d). As
explained above, these revisions
conform our rules to current law and
reflect our current practice. However,
without these changes, our rules on
military wage credits will conflict with
current law and may mislead the public.
Therefore, we find that it is in the
public interest to make these rules
effective upon publication.
Executive Order 12866, as Amended by
Executive Order 13258
We have consulted with the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) and
determined that these final rules do not
meet the criteria for a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866, as amended by Executive Order
13258. Thus, they were not subject to
OMB review. We have also determined
that these rules meet the plain language
requirement of Executive Order 12866,
as amended by Executive Order 13258.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
We certify that these final regulations
will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities under the criteria of the
E:\FR\FM\10MRR1.SGM
10MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 46 / Thursday, March 10, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended,
5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. Therefore, a
regulatory flexibility analysis as
provided in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, as amended, is not required.
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 862
Paperwork Reduction Act
These final regulations will impose no
additional information collection
requirements requiring OMB clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Nos. 96.001, Social Security—
Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social
Security—Retirement Insurance; 96.004,
Social Security—Survivors Insurance.)
[Docket No. 2005N–0067]
Medical Devices; Clinical Chemistry
and Clinical Toxicology Devices; Drug
Metabolizing Enzyme Genotyping
System
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 404
Administrative practice and
procedure, Blind, Disability benefits,
Old-age, survivors and disability
insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Social Security.
Dated: December 2, 2004.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner of Social Security.
For the reasons stated in the preamble,
we are amending subpart N of part 404
of Title 20 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:
I
PART 404—FEDERAL OLD-AGE,
SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY
INSURANCE (1950—)
Subpart N—[Amended]
1. The authority citation for subpart N
of part 404 continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: Secs. 205(a) and (p), 210(l) and
(m), 215(h), 217, 229, and 702(a)(5) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(a) and (p),
410(l) and (m), 415(h), 417, 429, and
902(a)(5)).
§ 404.1301
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is classifying
drug metabolizing enzyme (DME)
genotyping test systems into class II
(special controls). The special control
that will apply to the device is the
guidance document entitled ‘‘Class II
Special Controls Guidance Document:
Drug Metabolizing Enzyme Genotyping
System.’’ The agency is classifying the
device into class II (special controls) in
order to provide a reasonable assurance
of safety and effectiveness of the device.
Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register, FDA is publishing a notice of
availability of a guidance document that
is the special control for this device.
DATES: This rule is effective April 11,
2005. The classification was effective
December 23, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Courtney Harper, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (HFZ–440), Food
and Drug Administration, 2098 Gaither
Rd., Rockville, MD 20850, 240–276–
0443, ext. 159.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
[Amended]
In accordance with section 513(f)(1) of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (the act) (21 U.S.C. 360c(f)(1)),
devices that were not in commercial
distribution before May 28, 1976, the
§ 404.1302 [Amended]
date of enactment of the Medical Device
Amendments of 1976 (the amendments),
I 3. In § 404.1302, in the definition of
generally referred to as postamendments
‘‘Wage credit,’’ the second sentence is
devices, are classified automatically by
revised by removing the words ‘‘after
statute into class III without any FDA
1956’’ and adding in their place ‘‘from
rulemaking process. These devices
1957 through 2001.’’
remain in class III and require
§ 404.1341 [Amended]
premarket approval, unless and until
the device is classified or reclassified
I 4. In § 404.1341, in the first sentence
into class I or II or FDA issues an order
of paragraph (a), remove the words ‘‘after
finding the device to be substantially
1956’’ and add in their place ‘‘from 1957
equivalent, in accordance with section
through 2001’’ and in paragraph (b)(1),
513(i) of the act, to a predicate device
remove the words ‘‘after 1977’’ and add
that does not require premarket
in their place ‘‘from 1978 through 2001.’’
approval. The agency determines
[FR Doc. 05–4638 Filed 3–9–05; 8:45 am]
whether new devices are substantially
equivalent to previously marketed
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
2. In § 404.1301, at the end of the fifth
sentence in paragraph (a), add ‘‘through
2001.’’
I
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Jkt 205001
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11865
devices by means of premarket
notification procedures in section 510(k)
of the act (21 U.S.C. 360(k)) and part 807
(21 CFR part 807) of FDA’s regulations.
Section 513(f)(2) of the act provides
that any person who submits a
premarket notification under section
510(k) of the act for a device that has not
previously been classified may, within
30 days after receiving an order
classifying the device in class III under
section 513(f)(1), request FDA to classify
the device under the criteria set forth in
section 513(a)(1). FDA shall, within 60
days of receiving such a request, classify
the device by written order. This
classification shall be the initial
classification of the device. Within 30
days after the issuance of an order
classifying the device, FDA must
publish a notice in the Federal Register
announcing such classification (section
513(f)(2) of the act).
In accordance with section 513(f)(1) of
the act, FDA issued a notice on
December 17, 2004, classifying the
Roche Amplichip CYP450 Test (2D6) in
class III, because it was not substantially
equivalent to a device that was
introduced or delivered for introduction
into interstate commerce for commercial
distribution before May 28, 1976, or to
a device that was subsequently
reclassified into class I or class II. On
December 20, 2004, Roche Molecular
Systems, Inc., submitted a petition
requesting classification of the Roche
Amplichip CYP450 Test (2D6) under
section 513(f)(2) of the act. The
manufacturer recommended that the
device be classified into class II.
In accordance with section 513(f)(2) of
the act, FDA reviewed the petition in
order to classify the device under the
criteria for classification set forth in
section 513(a)(1). Devices are to be
classified into class II if general
controls, by themselves, are insufficient
to provide reasonable assurance of
safety and effectiveness, but there is
sufficient information to establish
special controls to provide reasonable
assurance of the safety and effectiveness
of the device for its intended use. After
review of the information submitted in
the petition, FDA determined that the
Roche Amplichip CYP450 Test (2D6)
can be classified in class II with the
establishment of special controls. FDA
believes these special controls, in
addition to general controls, will
provide reasonable assurance of safety
and effectiveness of the device.
The device is assigned the generic
name ‘‘drug metabolizing enzyme
genotyping system.’’ It is identified as a
device intended for use in testing
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted
from clinical samples to identify the
E:\FR\FM\10MRR1.SGM
10MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 46 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11863-11865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4638]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
20 CFR Part 404
RIN 0960-AF90
Wage Credits for Veterans and Members of the Uniformed Services
AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).
ACTION: Final rules.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are amending our rules on wage credits for veterans and
members of the uniformed services. The revisions are required by the
Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2002 and the Social
Security Protection Act of 2004. The enactments changed a Social
Security Act requirement providing deemed military wage credits for
service as members of the uniformed services
[[Page 11864]]
on active duty or active duty for training beginning in 1957 (when that
service was first covered for Social Security purposes on a
contributory basis). The provisions provide for the termination of such
deemed military wage credits effective with military wages earned after
December 31, 2001. The wage credits will continue to be given for
periods prior to calendar year 2002.
DATES: These regulations are effective March 10, 2005.
Electronic Version: The electronic file of this document is
available on the date of publication in the Federal Register on the
Internet site for the Government Printing Office, https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/. It is also available on the Internet
site for SSA (i.e., Social Security Online) at https://policy.ssa.gov/
pnpublic.nsf/LawsRegs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marylin Buster, Social Insurance
Specialist, Office of Income Security Programs, Social Security
Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401,
(410) 965-2490 or TTY (410) 966-5609. For information on eligibility,
claiming benefits, or coverage of earnings, call our national toll-free
number, 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Beginning in 1957, earnings of members of the uniformed services
became covered for Social Security purposes. In 1968, Congress added a
new section in the Social Security Act (section 229) providing for
deemed military wage credits for active duty service and requiring
Social Security to deem wage credits to the earnings record of
uniformed service members when determining benefit entitlement and
payment. Subsequently, the provision for the wage deeming program was
made retroactive to 1957. The deemed military wage credits were granted
in recognition that active service members did not get Social Security
credit for the value of pay in kind such as food, shelter, and medical
care, which is generally counted for other jobs covered under Social
Security. However, due to the lower pay of service members, it was
decided that it would be unfair to have the service members pay
additional Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. The Trust
Funds were to be reimbursed from general revenues on a current basis
for the added cost of benefits, much the way the trust funds were
reimbursed for gratuitous wage credits.
The amount of deemed military wage credits changed over the years.
The last change in 1977, provided for the crediting of deemed military
wages of $100 for every $300 of covered military wages up to a maximum
of $1,200 in deemed military wage credits per year. This modification
was due to the change to annual wage reporting from quarterly wage
reporting.
In 1983, the method of financing deemed military wage credits
changed by authorizing the General Fund of the Treasury to reimburse to
the Trust Funds the amount of FICA tax (both employer and employee
shares) that would have been paid on the deemed military wages had they
been actual earnings. Before enactment of the 1983 amendments, the
Social Security trust funds were reimbursed annually by Treasury (i.e.,
general revenues), based on an amortization schedule, for the cost of
additional Social Security benefits attributable to the deemed military
wage credits for military service for the period after 1956. The 1983
amendments changed the financing structure so that the Trust funds are
reimbursed for an amount equal to the Social Security taxes that would
have been imposed annually if the deemed wage credits had been
remuneration for employment.
Section 8134 of The Department of Defense Appropriations Act of
2002 (Pub. L. 107-117) modified the requirement of providing deemed
military wage credits for service as members of the uniformed services
on active duty or active duty for training beginning in 1957 (when that
service was first covered for Social Security purposes on a
contributory basis). With this modification, military wage credits will
no longer be provided for military wages earned after December 31,
2001.
In 2004, a technical amendment in section 420 of Pub. L. 108-203,
the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 amended section 229 of the
Act to reflect section 8134 of Pub. L. 107-117 which ended the wage
deeming program after 2001. The wage credits will continue to be given
for periods prior to calendar year 2002. These qualifying periods of
military service include active service during the World War II period
September 16, 1940 through July 24, 1947, the post-World War II period
July 25, 1947, through December 31, 1956, and members of the uniformed
service on active duty after 1956 and before 2002.
Explanation of Changes
We are revising Sec. Sec. 404.1301, 404.1302, and 404.1341 to
reflect the termination of automatic across-the-board wage credits
effective with military wages earned after December 31, 2001. The wage
credits will continue to be applied for periods prior to calendar year
2002.
Regulatory Procedures
Pursuant to section 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.
902(a)(5), as amended by section 102 of Public Law 103-296, SSA follows
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) rulemaking procedures specified
in 5 U.S.C. 553 in the development of its regulations. The APA provides
exceptions to its notice and public comment procedures when an agency
finds there is good cause for dispensing with such procedures on the
basis that they are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.
In the case of these final rules, we have determined that, under 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), good cause exists for dispensing with the notice and
public comment procedures. Good cause exists because these regulations
merely conform our rules on deeming military wage credits to current
law. The Agency has operated in accordance with the revised laws since
January 2002. These regulations contain no substantive changes of
interpretation. Therefore, opportunity for prior comment is
unnecessary, and we are issuing these regulations as final rules.
In addition, we find good cause for dispensing with the 30-day
delay in the effective date of a substantive rule, provided for by 5
U.S.C. 553(d). As explained above, these revisions conform our rules to
current law and reflect our current practice. However, without these
changes, our rules on military wage credits will conflict with current
law and may mislead the public. Therefore, we find that it is in the
public interest to make these rules effective upon publication.
Executive Order 12866, as Amended by Executive Order 13258
We have consulted with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
and determined that these final rules do not meet the criteria for a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, as amended
by Executive Order 13258. Thus, they were not subject to OMB review. We
have also determined that these rules meet the plain language
requirement of Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order
13258.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
We certify that these final regulations will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the
criteria of the
[[Page 11865]]
Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis as provided in the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, is not required.
Paperwork Reduction Act
These final regulations will impose no additional information
collection requirements requiring OMB clearance under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 96.001, Social
Security--Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Security--Retirement
Insurance; 96.004, Social Security--Survivors Insurance.)
List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 404
Administrative practice and procedure, Blind, Disability benefits,
Old-age, survivors and disability insurance, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Social Security.
Dated: December 2, 2004.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner of Social Security.
0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, we are amending subpart N of
part 404 of Title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 404--FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE
(1950--)
Subpart N--[Amended]
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1. The authority citation for subpart N of part 404 continues to read
as follows:
Authority: Secs. 205(a) and (p), 210(l) and (m), 215(h), 217,
229, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(a) and
(p), 410(l) and (m), 415(h), 417, 429, and 902(a)(5)).
Sec. 404.1301 [Amended]
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2. In Sec. 404.1301, at the end of the fifth sentence in paragraph
(a), add ``through 2001.''
Sec. 404.1302 [Amended]
0
3. In Sec. 404.1302, in the definition of ``Wage credit,'' the second
sentence is revised by removing the words ``after 1956'' and adding in
their place ``from 1957 through 2001.''
Sec. 404.1341 [Amended]
0
4. In Sec. 404.1341, in the first sentence of paragraph (a), remove
the words ``after 1956'' and add in their place ``from 1957 through
2001'' and in paragraph (b)(1), remove the words ``after 1977'' and add
in their place ``from 1978 through 2001.''
[FR Doc. 05-4638 Filed 3-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
