Federal Benefit Payments Under Certain District of Columbia Retirement Plans, 60003-60005 [05-20610]

Download as PDF 60003 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 198 / Friday, October 14, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Rate set For plans with a valuation date On or after * * 145 ............................................ Before * 11–1–05 3. In appendix C to part 4022, Rate Set 145, as set forth below, is added to the table. I i2 i3 * n1 n2 * 4.00 4.00 * 4.00 7 8 Appendix C to Part 4022—Lump Sum Interest Rates For Private-Sector Payments * * For plans with a valuation date On or after * * 145 ............................................ i1 * 2.50 12–1–05 * Rate set Deferred annuities (percent) Immediate annuity rate (percent) Before * Deferred annuities (percent) Immediate annuity rate (percent) * 11–1–05 * * 2.50 12–1–05 i2 i1 i3 * n1 n2 * 4.00 4.00 * 4.00 7 8 Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1301(a), 1302(b)(3), 1341, 1344, 1362. PART 4044—ALLOCATION OF ASSETS IN SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS Appendix B to Part 4044—Interest Rates Used to Value Benefits 5. In appendix B to part 4044, a new entry for November 2005, as set forth below, is added to the table. * I 4. The authority citation for part 4044 continues to read as follows: I * * * * The values of it are: For valuation dates occurring in the month— it * * * November 2005 .................................................................... Issued in Washington, DC, on this 7th day of October 2005. Vincent K. Snowbarger, Deputy Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. [FR Doc. 05–20581 Filed 10–13–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7708–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 31 CFR Part 29 RIN 1505–AB55 Federal Benefit Payments Under Certain District of Columbia Retirement Plans Departmental Offices, Treasury. Final rule. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury is issuing final regulations to amend its DC Pensions rules promulgated pursuant to Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as amended, which was effective on October 1, 1997. The Act assigns to the Secretary of the Treasury responsibility for payment of benefits based on service VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:42 Oct 13, 2005 Jkt 208001 for t = * .0370 it * 1–20 accrued as of June 30, 1997, under the retirement plans for District of Columbia teachers and police officers and firefighters, and payment of past and future benefits under the retirement plan for District of Columbia judges. The amended regulations implement the provisions of the Act that provide the Secretary with the responsibility to ensure the accuracy of payments made to annuitants before the effective date of the Act. DATES: This final rule is effective October 14, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Cuffe, Office of the General Counsel, MT Room 2209A, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220, (202–622–1682, not a toll-free call). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 13, 2005, the Department of the Treasury published (at 70 FR 19366) proposed regulations to amend the regulations in Part 29 that implement Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105–33, 111 Stat. 251, 712–731, 756–759, as amended (the Act). The Act transferred certain PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 for t = * >20 .0475 it N/A for t = * N/A pension liabilities from the District of Columbia Government to the Federal Government. The Act requires that the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) pay certain benefits under the retirement plans for District of Columbia teachers (Teachers Plan) and police officers and firefighters (Police and Firefighters Plan) based on service accrued on or before June 30, 1997, and benefits under the retirement plan for District of Columbia judges (Judges Plan) regardless of when service accrued. On December 23, 2004, the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Improvement Act of 2004, Public Law 108–489, 118 Stat. 3966 (the 2004 Act) was enacted. The 2004 Act amended the Act, in part, to create a new fund from the two funds that had financed the Teachers Plan and the Police and Firefighters Plan and to provide the Judges Plan with procedures for resolving denied benefit claims. The Act provides the Secretary with authority to ensure the accuracy of Federal Benefit Payments made before October 1, 1997, under the Police and Firefighters Plan and the Teachers Plan. Section 11012 of the Act requires the E:\FR\FM\14OCR1.SGM 14OCR1 60004 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 198 / Friday, October 14, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Secretary to make benefit payments under the Police and Firefighters Plan and Teachers Plan based on service accrued on or before June 30, 1997. An annuitant’s entitlement to the correct payment amount based on that service, but not more than that amount, does not expire. Thus, the Secretary’s authority to review and ensure the accuracy of all payments based on service accrued on or before June 30, 1997, extends to all such payments whether made before or after the October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. In the case of the Judges Plan, section 11251(a) of the Act (codified at DC Official Code section 11–1570(c)(2)(A)) vests in the Secretary authority over Federal Benefit Payments made under the Judges Plan before the October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. Accordingly, the Secretary has authority to ensure the accuracy of payments made before October 1, 1997, under the Judges Plan, the Police and Firefighters Plan, and the Teachers Plan. The amendments to Part 29 reflect the authority of the Secretary as provided in the sections of the Act discussed above and the manner in which that authority is being administered by the Treasury Department. The 2004 Act amended the Act to create the District of Columbia Teachers, Police Officers, and Firefighters Federal Pension Fund with the assets transferred from the District of Columbia Federal Pension Liability Trust Fund and the Federal Supplemental District of Columbia Pension Fund, which funds were terminated. The 2004 Act also amended the Act to provide the Judges Plan with procedures for resolving denied benefit claims. The Secretary has the authority under section 11083 and paragraph 11251(b) (codified as DC Official Code section 11–1572(a)) of the Act ‘‘to issue regulations to implement, interpret, administer and carry out the purposes of this [Act], and, in the Secretary’s discretion, those regulations may have retroactive effect.’’ The original regulations by their terms apply only to Federal Benefit Payments made on or after October 1, 1997, the effective date of the Act. See 31 CFR 29.101(c). Therefore, the Department of the Treasury amends the original regulations to implement the Secretary’s authority under the Act to ensure the accuracy of payments made to annuitants prior to the October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. The Department also amends the original regulations to reflect the changes made in the 2004 Act and to make several technical changes as specified below. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:42 Oct 13, 2005 Jkt 208001 Comments on the proposed rule were requested by June 13, 2005. The Department received two comments in support of the proposed regulations. Therefore, the proposed regulations are being adopted without change as final regulations. Administrative Procedure Act Because the amendments contained in this final rule are mandated by the 2004 Act, have retroactive effect pursuant to section 11083 or 11251(b) of the Act, or are technical changes, it has been determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) that a delayed effective date is unnecessary. Regulatory Flexibility Act It is hereby certified that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The rule only affects the determination of the Federal portion of retirement benefits to certain former employees of the District of Columbia. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6). Executive Order 12866 This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866, 58 FR 51735. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 29 Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, Firefighters, Government employees, Intergovernmental relations, Law enforcement officers, Pensions, Retirement, Teachers. I Accordingly, the Department of the Treasury is amending title 31, part 29, Code of Federal Regulations, to read as follows: PART 29—FEDERAL BENEFIT PAYMENTS UNDER CERTAIN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA RETIREMENT PROGRAMS 1. The authority citation for Part 29 is revised to read as follows: I Authority: Subtitle A, Subchapter B of Chapter 4 of Subtitle C, and Chapter 3 of Subtitle H, of Pub. L. 105–33, 111 Stat. 712– 731, 756–759, and 786–787; as amended. 2. In § 29.101, paragraphs (a) and (c) are revised, and paragraph (e) is added, to read as follows: I § 29.101 Purpose and scope. (a) This part contains the Department’s regulations implementing Subtitle A, Subchapter B of Chapter 4 of PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Subtitle C, and Chapter 3 of Subtitle H, of Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105–33, 111 Stat. 251, 712–731, 756–759, enacted August 5, 1997, as amended. * * * * * (c) This part applies to Federal Benefit Payments. * * * * * (e) This part does not apply to the District of Columbia replacement plan, which covers payments based on service accrued after June 30, 1997, pursuant to section 11042 of the Act. I 3. In § 29.103, definitions for Act, Benefits Administrator, Federal Benefit Payment, and Retirement Funds in paragraph (a) are revised to read as follows: § 29.103 Definitions. (a) In this part— Act means Subtitle A, Subchapter B of Chapter 4 of Subtitle C, and Chapter 3 of Subtitle H, of Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105–33, 111 Stat. 251, 712–731, 756–759, as amended. Benefits Administrator means: (1) For the Teachers Plan and the Police and Firefighters Plan under section 11041(a) of the Act: (i) During the interim benefits administration period, the District of Columbia government; or (ii) After the end of the interim benefits administration period: (A) The Trustee selected by the Department under sections 11035(a) or 11085(a) of the Act; (B) The Department, if a determination is made under sections 11035(d) or 11085(d) of the Act that, in the interest of economy and efficiency, the function of the Trustee shall be performed by the Department rather than the Trustee; or (C) Any other agent of the Department designated to make initial benefit determinations and/or to recover or recoup or waive recovery or recoupment of overpayments of Federal Benefit Payments, or to recover or recoup debts owed to the Federal Government by annuitants; or (2) For the Judges Plan under section 11252(b) of the Act: (i) During the interim benefits administration period, the District of Columbia government; or (ii) After the end of the interim benefits administration period for the Judges Plan: (A) The Trustee selected by the Department under section 11251(a) of the Act; (B) The Department, if a determination is made under section E:\FR\FM\14OCR1.SGM 14OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 198 / Friday, October 14, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 11251(a) of the Act that, in the interest of economy and efficiency, the function of the Trustee shall be performed by the Department rather than the Trustee; or (C) Any other agent of the Department designated to make initial benefit determinations and/or to recover or recoup or waive recovery or recoupment of overpayments of Federal Benefit Payments, or to recover or recoup debts owed to the Federal Government by annuitants. * * * * * Federal Benefit Payment means a payment for which the Department is responsible under the Act, to which an individual is entitled under the Judges Plan, the Police and Firefighters Plan, or the Teachers Plan, in such amount and under such terms and conditions as may apply under such plans, including payments made under these plans before, on, or after the October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. Service after June 30, 1997, shall not be credited for purposes of determining the amount of any Federal Benefit Payment under the Teachers Plan and the Police and Firefighters Plan. * * * * * Retirement Funds means the District of Columbia Teachers, Police Officers, and Firefighters Federal Pension Fund established under section 11081 of the Act, the District of Columbia Judicial Retirement and Survivors Annuity Fund established under section 11252 of the Act, and their predecessor funds. * * * * * I 4. Section 29.201 is revised to read as follows: § 29.201 Purpose and scope. This subpart contains information concerning the relationship between the Department and the District government in the administration of the Act and the functions of each in the administration of that Act. I 5. In § 29.401, paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) are revised, and paragraph (c) is added, to read as follows: § 29.401 Purpose. (a) * * * (2) The procedures for determining an individual’s eligibility for a Federal Benefit Payment and the amount and form of an individual’s Federal Benefit Payment as required by sections 11021 and 11251(a) (codified at DC Official Code section 11–1570(c)(2)(a)) of the Act; (3) The appeal rights available under section 11022(a) of the Act and section 3 of the 2004 Act (codified at DC Official Code section 11–1570(c)(3)) to claimants whose claim for Federal VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:42 Oct 13, 2005 Jkt 208001 Benefit Payments is denied in whole or in part; and * * * * * (c) This part does not apply to claims and appeals filed before October 1, 1997. Such claims must be pursued with the District of Columbia. 60005 Guard Marine Safety Office, PO Box 486, Valdez, Alaska 99686. Marine Safety Office Valdez, Port Operations Department maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and materials received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the § 29.402 [Amended] docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or I 6. In § 29.402, the definitions for Act and Benefits Administrator are removed. copying at Marine Safety Office Valdez, 105 Clifton, Valdez, AK 99686 between I 7. In § 29.501, paragraph (e) is added 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to read as follows: through Friday, except Federal holidays. § 29.501 Purpose; incorporation by FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: reference; scope. LTJG Duane Lemmon, Port Operations * * * * * Department, U.S. Coast Guard Marine (e) This part does not apply to debt Safety Office Valdez, Alaska, (907) 835– collection claims asserted and requests 7218. for waivers of collection initiated before SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: October 1, 1997. Such debt collection claims must be pursued by the District Regulatory History of Columbia and such requests for On June 30, 2005, we published a waivers of collection must be pursued temporary final rule entitled ‘‘Security with the District of Columbia. Zones; TAPS Terminal, Valdez Narrows, Dated: October 6, 2005. and Tank Vessels in COTP Prince Rochelle F. Granat, William Sound’’ in the Federal Register Director, Office of DC Pensions. (70 FR 37681). That rule is only effective to October 11, 2005. [FR Doc. 05–20610 Filed 10–13–05; 8:45 am] A notice of proposed rulemaking BILLING CODE 4811–37–P (NPRM) was not published for this regulation. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds good DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND cause exists for not publishing an SECURITY NPRM. The Coast Guard is taking this Coast Guard action for the immediate protection of the national security interests in light of 33 CFR Part 165 terrorist acts perpetrated on September 11, 2001, and the continuing threat that [COTP Prince William Sound 05–012] remains from those who committed RIN 1625–AA87 those acts. Also, in accordance with 5 U.S.C 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds Security Zones; Port Valdez and good cause to exist for making this Valdez Narrows, Valdez, AK regulation effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. Register. Publication of a notice of ACTION: Temporary final rule. proposed rulemaking and delay of effective date would be contrary to the SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is public interest because immediate continuing temporary security zones encompassing the Trans-Alaska Pipeline action is necessary to provide for the safety of the TAPS terminal and TAPS (TAPS) Valdez Terminal Complex, tank vessels. Valdez, Alaska and TAPS Tank Vessels On November 7, 2001, we published and Valdez Narrows, Port Valdez, three temporary final rules in the Alaska, and is reducing the size of one of these zones. These temporary security Federal Register (66 FR 56208, 56210, zones will remain effective until January 56212) that created security zones effective through June 1, 2002. The 12, 2006, while we complete a separate rulemaking to create permanent security section numbers and titles for these zones are— zones in these locations. DATES: This rule is effective from Section 165.T17–003—Security zone; October 11, 2005, through January 12, Trans-Alaska Pipeline Valdez 2006. Comments and related material on Terminal Complex, Valdez, Alaska, this temporary final rule must reach the Section 165.T17–004—Security zone; Coast Guard on or before December 13, Port Valdez, and 2005. Section 165.T17–005—Security zones; Captain of the Port Zone, Prince ADDRESSES: You may mail comments William Sound, Alaska. and material received to U.S. Coast PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14OCR1.SGM 14OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 198 (Friday, October 14, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60003-60005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20610]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

31 CFR Part 29

RIN 1505-AB55


Federal Benefit Payments Under Certain District of Columbia 
Retirement Plans

AGENCY: Departmental Offices, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury is issuing final regulations to 
amend its DC Pensions rules promulgated pursuant to Title XI of the 
Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as amended, which was effective on October 
1, 1997. The Act assigns to the Secretary of the Treasury 
responsibility for payment of benefits based on service accrued as of 
June 30, 1997, under the retirement plans for District of Columbia 
teachers and police officers and firefighters, and payment of past and 
future benefits under the retirement plan for District of Columbia 
judges. The amended regulations implement the provisions of the Act 
that provide the Secretary with the responsibility to ensure the 
accuracy of payments made to annuitants before the effective date of 
the Act.

DATES: This final rule is effective October 14, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Cuffe, Office of the General 
Counsel, MT Room 2209A, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220, (202-622-1682, not a toll-free 
call).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 13, 2005, the Department of the 
Treasury published (at 70 FR 19366) proposed regulations to amend the 
regulations in Part 29 that implement Title XI of the Balanced Budget 
Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33, 111 Stat. 251, 712-731, 756-759, as 
amended (the Act). The Act transferred certain pension liabilities from 
the District of Columbia Government to the Federal Government. The Act 
requires that the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) pay certain 
benefits under the retirement plans for District of Columbia teachers 
(Teachers Plan) and police officers and firefighters (Police and 
Firefighters Plan) based on service accrued on or before June 30, 1997, 
and benefits under the retirement plan for District of Columbia judges 
(Judges Plan) regardless of when service accrued. On December 23, 2004, 
the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Improvement Act of 2004, 
Public Law 108-489, 118 Stat. 3966 (the 2004 Act) was enacted. The 2004 
Act amended the Act, in part, to create a new fund from the two funds 
that had financed the Teachers Plan and the Police and Firefighters 
Plan and to provide the Judges Plan with procedures for resolving 
denied benefit claims.
    The Act provides the Secretary with authority to ensure the 
accuracy of Federal Benefit Payments made before October 1, 1997, under 
the Police and Firefighters Plan and the Teachers Plan. Section 11012 
of the Act requires the

[[Page 60004]]

Secretary to make benefit payments under the Police and Firefighters 
Plan and Teachers Plan based on service accrued on or before June 30, 
1997. An annuitant's entitlement to the correct payment amount based on 
that service, but not more than that amount, does not expire. Thus, the 
Secretary's authority to review and ensure the accuracy of all payments 
based on service accrued on or before June 30, 1997, extends to all 
such payments whether made before or after the October 1, 1997, 
effective date of the Act.
    In the case of the Judges Plan, section 11251(a) of the Act 
(codified at DC Official Code section 11-1570(c)(2)(A)) vests in the 
Secretary authority over Federal Benefit Payments made under the Judges 
Plan before the October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. 
Accordingly, the Secretary has authority to ensure the accuracy of 
payments made before October 1, 1997, under the Judges Plan, the Police 
and Firefighters Plan, and the Teachers Plan.
    The amendments to Part 29 reflect the authority of the Secretary as 
provided in the sections of the Act discussed above and the manner in 
which that authority is being administered by the Treasury Department.
    The 2004 Act amended the Act to create the District of Columbia 
Teachers, Police Officers, and Firefighters Federal Pension Fund with 
the assets transferred from the District of Columbia Federal Pension 
Liability Trust Fund and the Federal Supplemental District of Columbia 
Pension Fund, which funds were terminated. The 2004 Act also amended 
the Act to provide the Judges Plan with procedures for resolving denied 
benefit claims.
    The Secretary has the authority under section 11083 and paragraph 
11251(b) (codified as DC Official Code section 11-1572(a)) of the Act 
``to issue regulations to implement, interpret, administer and carry 
out the purposes of this [Act], and, in the Secretary's discretion, 
those regulations may have retroactive effect.'' The original 
regulations by their terms apply only to Federal Benefit Payments made 
on or after October 1, 1997, the effective date of the Act. See 31 CFR 
29.101(c). Therefore, the Department of the Treasury amends the 
original regulations to implement the Secretary's authority under the 
Act to ensure the accuracy of payments made to annuitants prior to the 
October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. The Department also amends 
the original regulations to reflect the changes made in the 2004 Act 
and to make several technical changes as specified below.
    Comments on the proposed rule were requested by June 13, 2005. The 
Department received two comments in support of the proposed 
regulations. Therefore, the proposed regulations are being adopted 
without change as final regulations.

Administrative Procedure Act

    Because the amendments contained in this final rule are mandated by 
the 2004 Act, have retroactive effect pursuant to section 11083 or 
11251(b) of the Act, or are technical changes, it has been determined, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) that a delayed effective date is 
unnecessary.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It is hereby certified that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The rule only affects the determination of the Federal portion of 
retirement benefits to certain former employees of the District of 
Columbia. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6).

Executive Order 12866

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by 
Executive Order 12866, 58 FR 51735. Therefore, a regulatory assessment 
is not required.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 29

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, 
Firefighters, Government employees, Intergovernmental relations, Law 
enforcement officers, Pensions, Retirement, Teachers.


0
Accordingly, the Department of the Treasury is amending title 31, part 
29, Code of Federal Regulations, to read as follows:

PART 29--FEDERAL BENEFIT PAYMENTS UNDER CERTAIN DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for Part 29 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: Subtitle A, Subchapter B of Chapter 4 of Subtitle C, 
and Chapter 3 of Subtitle H, of Pub. L. 105-33, 111 Stat. 712-731, 
756-759, and 786-787; as amended.


0
2. In Sec.  29.101, paragraphs (a) and (c) are revised, and paragraph 
(e) is added, to read as follows:


Sec.  29.101  Purpose and scope.

    (a) This part contains the Department's regulations implementing 
Subtitle A, Subchapter B of Chapter 4 of Subtitle C, and Chapter 3 of 
Subtitle H, of Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 
105-33, 111 Stat. 251, 712-731, 756-759, enacted August 5, 1997, as 
amended.
* * * * *
    (c) This part applies to Federal Benefit Payments.
* * * * *
    (e) This part does not apply to the District of Columbia 
replacement plan, which covers payments based on service accrued after 
June 30, 1997, pursuant to section 11042 of the Act.

0
3. In Sec.  29.103, definitions for Act, Benefits Administrator, 
Federal Benefit Payment, and Retirement Funds in paragraph (a) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  29.103  Definitions.

    (a) In this part--
    Act means Subtitle A, Subchapter B of Chapter 4 of Subtitle C, and 
Chapter 3 of Subtitle H, of Title XI of the Balanced Budget Act of 
1997, Public Law 105-33, 111 Stat. 251, 712-731, 756-759, as amended.
    Benefits Administrator means:
    (1) For the Teachers Plan and the Police and Firefighters Plan 
under section 11041(a) of the Act:
    (i) During the interim benefits administration period, the District 
of Columbia government; or
    (ii) After the end of the interim benefits administration period:
    (A) The Trustee selected by the Department under sections 11035(a) 
or 11085(a) of the Act;
    (B) The Department, if a determination is made under sections 
11035(d) or 11085(d) of the Act that, in the interest of economy and 
efficiency, the function of the Trustee shall be performed by the 
Department rather than the Trustee; or
    (C) Any other agent of the Department designated to make initial 
benefit determinations and/or to recover or recoup or waive recovery or 
recoupment of overpayments of Federal Benefit Payments, or to recover 
or recoup debts owed to the Federal Government by annuitants; or
    (2) For the Judges Plan under section 11252(b) of the Act:
    (i) During the interim benefits administration period, the District 
of Columbia government; or
    (ii) After the end of the interim benefits administration period 
for the Judges Plan:
    (A) The Trustee selected by the Department under section 11251(a) 
of the Act;
    (B) The Department, if a determination is made under section

[[Page 60005]]

11251(a) of the Act that, in the interest of economy and efficiency, 
the function of the Trustee shall be performed by the Department rather 
than the Trustee; or
    (C) Any other agent of the Department designated to make initial 
benefit determinations and/or to recover or recoup or waive recovery or 
recoupment of overpayments of Federal Benefit Payments, or to recover 
or recoup debts owed to the Federal Government by annuitants.
* * * * *
    Federal Benefit Payment means a payment for which the Department is 
responsible under the Act, to which an individual is entitled under the 
Judges Plan, the Police and Firefighters Plan, or the Teachers Plan, in 
such amount and under such terms and conditions as may apply under such 
plans, including payments made under these plans before, on, or after 
the October 1, 1997, effective date of the Act. Service after June 30, 
1997, shall not be credited for purposes of determining the amount of 
any Federal Benefit Payment under the Teachers Plan and the Police and 
Firefighters Plan.
* * * * *
    Retirement Funds means the District of Columbia Teachers, Police 
Officers, and Firefighters Federal Pension Fund established under 
section 11081 of the Act, the District of Columbia Judicial Retirement 
and Survivors Annuity Fund established under section 11252 of the Act, 
and their predecessor funds.
* * * * *

0
4. Section 29.201 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  29.201  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart contains information concerning the relationship 
between the Department and the District government in the 
administration of the Act and the functions of each in the 
administration of that Act.

0
5. In Sec.  29.401, paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) are revised, and 
paragraph (c) is added, to read as follows:


Sec.  29.401  Purpose.

    (a) * * *
    (2) The procedures for determining an individual's eligibility for 
a Federal Benefit Payment and the amount and form of an individual's 
Federal Benefit Payment as required by sections 11021 and 11251(a) 
(codified at DC Official Code section 11-1570(c)(2)(a)) of the Act;
    (3) The appeal rights available under section 11022(a) of the Act 
and section 3 of the 2004 Act (codified at DC Official Code section 11-
1570(c)(3)) to claimants whose claim for Federal Benefit Payments is 
denied in whole or in part; and
* * * * *
    (c) This part does not apply to claims and appeals filed before 
October 1, 1997. Such claims must be pursued with the District of 
Columbia.


Sec.  29.402  [Amended]

0
6. In Sec.  29.402, the definitions for Act and Benefits Administrator 
are removed.

0
7. In Sec.  29.501, paragraph (e) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  29.501  Purpose; incorporation by reference; scope.

* * * * *
    (e) This part does not apply to debt collection claims asserted and 
requests for waivers of collection initiated before October 1, 1997. 
Such debt collection claims must be pursued by the District of Columbia 
and such requests for waivers of collection must be pursued with the 
District of Columbia.

    Dated: October 6, 2005.
Rochelle F. Granat,
Director, Office of DC Pensions.
[FR Doc. 05-20610 Filed 10-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4811-37-P
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