Agreement on Social Security Between the United States and the Czech Republic; Entry Into Force, 80505-80506 [E8-31136]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 251 / Wednesday, December 31, 2008 / Notices pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES The Exchange notes that NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a) provides that an ETP Holder, before recommending a transaction in Index-Linked Securities, must have reasonable grounds to believe that the recommendation is suitable for their customer based on any facts disclosed by the customer as to its other security holdings and as to its financial situation and needs. Further, the rule provides, with a limited exception, that prior to the execution of a transaction recommended to a non-institutional customer, the ETP Holder shall make reasonable efforts to obtain information concerning the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives, and any other information that such ETP Holder believes would be useful to make a recommendation. Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin of this suitability requirement. Specifically, ETP Holders will be reminded in the Information Bulletin that, in recommending transactions in these securities, they must have a reasonable basis to believe that the customer can evaluate the special characteristics, and is able to bear the financial risks, of such investment. The Exchange believes that these changes will allow the Exchange greater flexibility in the listing of Index-Linked Securities, which will allow the Exchange to offer investors more investment options and to remain competitive in the marketplace. The Exchange believes that investors will continue to be protected because the payment at maturity cannot be based on a multiple that exceeds three times the inverse performance of an underlying Reference Asset. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) 8 of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5),9 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed change to the standards for listing and trading Index-Linked 8 15 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:41 Dec 30, 2008 Jkt 217001 Securities enhances the investment opportunities for our users by providing them with an additional degree of leverage, while also limiting potential losses or negative payments to ¥300%.10 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will: (A) By order approve the proposed rule change, or (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: 80505 All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEArca–2008–136. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEArca–2008–136 and should be submitted on or before January 21, 2009. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–31098 Filed 12–30–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P Electronic Comments SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NYSEArca 2008–136 on the subject line. [Docket No. SSA–2008–0064] Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. 10 See e-mail from Andrew Stevens, Chief Counsel—U.S. Equities & Derivatives, NYSE Arca, Inc., to Mitra Mehr, Special Counsel, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, dated December 22, 2008. PO 00000 Frm 00145 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Agreement on Social Security Between the United States and the Czech Republic; Entry Into Force Social Security Administration. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: On January 1, 2009, an agreement coordinating the United States (U.S.) and the Czech Republic social security programs will enter into force. The agreement with the Czech Republic, which was signed on September 7, 2007, is similar to U.S. social security agreements already in 11 17 E:\FR\FM\31DEN1.SGM CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 31DEN1 80506 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 251 / Wednesday, December 31, 2008 / Notices force with 22 other countries. This agreement is authorized by section 233 of the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. 433. The U.S.-Czech agreement eliminates dual social security coverage—a situation that exists when a worker from one country works in the other country and is covered under the social security systems of both countries for the same work. Without such agreements in force, when dual coverage occurs, the worker or the worker’s employer or both may be required to pay social security contributions to the two countries simultaneously. Under the U.S.-Czech agreement, a worker who is sent by an employer in one country to work in the other country for 5 years or less remains covered only by the sending country. The agreement includes additional rules that eliminate dual U.S. and Czech coverage in other work situations. The agreement also helps eliminate situations where workers suffer a loss of benefit rights because they have divided their careers between the two countries. Under the agreement, workers may qualify for partial U.S. benefits or partial Czech benefits based on combined (totalized) work credits from both countries. If you want copies of the agreement or want more information about its provisions you may write to the Social Security Administration, Office of International Programs, Post Office Box 17741, Baltimore, MD 21235–7741 or visit the Social Security Web site at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/ international. Dated: December 23, 2008. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. [FR Doc. E8–31136 Filed 12–30–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA–2008–0067] Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment Fees to Representatives in 2009 AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401. Phone: (410) 965–0495, e-mail Gwen.Jones.Kelley@ssa.gov. Section 406 of Public Law No. 106–170, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, established an assessment for the services required to determine and certify payments to attorneys from the benefits due claimants under Title II of the Act. This provision is codified in section 206 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 406). That legislation set the assessment for the calendar year 2000 at 6.3 percent of the amount that would be required to be certified for direct payment to the attorney under sections 206(a)(4) or (b)(1) of the Act before the application of the assessment. For subsequent years, the legislation requires us to determine the percentage rate necessary to achieve full recovery of the costs of determining and certifying fees to attorneys, but not in excess of 6.3 percent. Beginning in 2005, sections 302 and 303 of Public Law No. 108–203, the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (SSPA), extended the direct payment of fees to attorneys in cases under Title XVI of the Act and to eligible nonattorney representatives in cases under Title II or Title XVI of the Act. Fees directly paid under these provisions are subject to the same assessment. In addition, sections 301 and 302 of the SSPA imposed a dollar cap (i.e., currently $83.00) on the amount of the assessment so that the assessment may not exceed the lesser of that dollar cap or the amount determined using the assessment percentage rate. Based on the best available data, we have determined that the current rate of 6.3 percent will continue for 2009. We will continue to review our costs for these services on a yearly basis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: December 19, 2008. Mary Glenn-Croft, Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and Management. [FR Doc. E8–31129 Filed 12–30–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P Social Security Administration (SSA). pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES ACTION: DEPARTMENT OF STATE Notice. SUMMARY: We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under sections 206(d) and 1631(d)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (the Act), 42 U.S.C. 406 (d), and 1383(d)(2)(C) is 6.3 percent for 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwen Jones Kelley, Acting Associate General Counsel for Program Law, VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:41 Dec 30, 2008 Jkt 217001 [Public Notice 6471] List of December 31, 2008 of Participating Countries and Entities (Hereinafter Known as ‘‘Participants’’) Under the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108–19) and Section 2 of Executive Order 13312 of July 29, 2003 AGENCY: PO 00000 Department of State. Frm 00146 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with Sections 3 and 6 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108–19) and Section 2 of Executive Order 13312 of July 29, 2003, the Department of State is identifying all the Participants eligible for trade in rough diamonds under the Act, and their respective Importing and Exporting Authorities, and revising the previously published list of September 8, 2008 (73 FR 52073) to add Mexico and delete Cote d‘Ivoire. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Saarnio, Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Department of State (202) 647–4108. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act (the ‘‘Act’’) requires the President to prohibit the importation into, or the exportation from, the United States of any rough diamond, from whatever source, that has not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Under Section 3(2) of the Act, ‘‘controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme’’ means an importation from the territory of a Participant or exportation to the territory of a Participant of rough diamonds that is either (i) carried out in accordance with the KPCS, as set forth in regulations promulgated by the President, or (ii) controlled under a system determined by the President to meet substantially the standards, practices, and procedures of the KPCS. The referenced regulations are contained at 31 CFR Part 592 (‘‘Rough Diamonds Control Regulations’’) (69 FR 56936, Sept. 23, 2004). Section 6(b) of the Act requires the President to publish in the Federal Register a list of all Participants, and all Importing and Exporting Authorities of Participants, and to update the list as necessary. Section 2 of Executive Order 13312 delegates this function to the Secretary of State. Section 3(7) of the Act defines ‘‘Participant’’ as a state, customs territory, or regional economic integration organization identified by the Secretary of State. Section 3(3) of the Act defines ‘‘Exporting Authority’’ as one or more entities designated by a Participant from whose territory a shipment of rough diamonds is being exported as having the authority to validate a Kimberley Process Certificate. Section 3(4) of the Act defines ‘‘Importing Authority’’ as one or more entities designated by a Participant into whose territory a shipment of rough diamonds is imported as having the authority to enforce the laws and E:\FR\FM\31DEN1.SGM 31DEN1

Agencies

Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 251 (Wednesday, December 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80505-80506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31136]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2008-0064]


Agreement on Social Security Between the United States and the 
Czech Republic; Entry Into Force

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: On January 1, 2009, an agreement coordinating the United 
States (U.S.) and the Czech Republic social security programs will 
enter into force. The agreement with the Czech Republic, which was 
signed on September 7, 2007, is similar to U.S. social security 
agreements already in

[[Page 80506]]

force with 22 other countries. This agreement is authorized by section 
233 of the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. 433.
    The U.S.-Czech agreement eliminates dual social security coverage--
a situation that exists when a worker from one country works in the 
other country and is covered under the social security systems of both 
countries for the same work. Without such agreements in force, when 
dual coverage occurs, the worker or the worker's employer or both may 
be required to pay social security contributions to the two countries 
simultaneously. Under the U.S.-Czech agreement, a worker who is sent by 
an employer in one country to work in the other country for 5 years or 
less remains covered only by the sending country.
    The agreement includes additional rules that eliminate dual U.S. 
and Czech coverage in other work situations. The agreement also helps 
eliminate situations where workers suffer a loss of benefit rights 
because they have divided their careers between the two countries. 
Under the agreement, workers may qualify for partial U.S. benefits or 
partial Czech benefits based on combined (totalized) work credits from 
both countries.
    If you want copies of the agreement or want more information about 
its provisions you may write to the Social Security Administration, 
Office of International Programs, Post Office Box 17741, Baltimore, MD 
21235-7741 or visit the Social Security Web site at https://
www.socialsecurity.gov/international.

    Dated: December 23, 2008.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. E8-31136 Filed 12-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

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