Proposed Data Collection(s) Available for Public Comment and Recommendations, 51117-51118 [2010-20549]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Notices from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on September 23rd, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 24th, will be closed. Theater (application review): September 27, 2010 in Room 730. This meeting, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will be closed. Arts Education (application review): September 29–30, 2010 in Room 716. A portion of this meeting, from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on September 30th, will be open to the public for a policy discussion. The remainder of the meeting, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on September 29th, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m and from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on September 30th, will be closed. The closed portions of meetings are for the purpose of Panel review, discussion, evaluation, and recommendations on financial assistance under the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, including information given in confidence to the agency. In accordance with the determination of the Chairman of November 10, 2009, these sessions will be closed to the public pursuant to subsection (c)(6) of section 552b of Title 5, United States Code. Any person may observe meetings, or portions thereof, of advisory panels that are open to the public, and if time allows, may be permitted to participate in the panel’s discussions at the discretion of the panel chairman. If you need any accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Office of AccessAbility, National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506, 202/682– 5532, TDY–TDD 202/682–5496, at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. Further information with reference to these meetings can be obtained from Ms. Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Office of Guidelines & Panel Operations, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC 20506, or call 202/682–5691. Dated: August 13, 2010. Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Panel Coordinator, Panel Operations, National Endowment for the Arts. [FR Doc. 2010–20377 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7537–01–P sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD Proposed Data Collection(s) Available for Public Comment and Recommendations In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:40 Aug 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB’s estimate of the burden for the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 1. Title and Purpose of Information Collection Public Service Pension Questionnaires; OMB 3220–0136 Public Law 95–216 amended the Social Security Act of 1977 by providing, in part, that spouse or survivor benefits may be reduced when the beneficiary is in receipt of a pension based on employment with a Federal, State, or local governmental unit. Initially, the reduction was equal to the full amount of the government pension. Public Law 98–21 changed the reduction to two-thirds of the amount of the government pension. Public Law 108–203 amended the Social Security Act by changing the requirement for exemption to public service offset, that Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes be deducted from the public service wages for the last 60 months of public service employment, rather than just the last day of public service employment. Sections 4(a)(1) and 4(f)(1) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) provides that a spouse or survivor annuity should be equal in amount to what the annuitant would receive if entitled to a like benefit from the Social Security Administration. Therefore, the public service pension (PSP) provisions apply to RRA annuities. RRB Regulations pertaining to the collection of evidence relating to public service pensions or worker’s compensation paid to spouse or survivor applicants or annuitants are found in 20 CFR 219.64c. The RRB utilizes Form G–208, Public Service Pension Questionnaire, and Form G–212, Public Service Monitoring Questionnaire, to obtain information used to determine whether an annuity reduction is in order. Completion of the forms is voluntary. However, failure to complete the forms could result in the PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 51117 nonpayment of benefits. One response is requested of each respondent. The RRB proposes a non-burden impacting editorial change for clarification purposes to Form G–208 and no changes to Form G–212. The completion time for the G–208 is estimated at 16 minutes and the G–212 is estimated at 15 minutes. The RRB estimates that approximately 70 Form G–208’s and 1,100 Form G–212’s are completed annually. 2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection Self-Employment and Substantial Service Questionnaire; OMB 3220–0138 Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) provides for payment of annuities to qualified employees and their spouses. In order to receive an age and service annuity, Section 2(e)(3) states that an applicant must stop all railroad work and give up any rights to return to such work. However, applicants are not required to stop nonrailroad work or self-employment. The RRB considers some work claimed as ‘‘self-employment’’ to actually be employment for an employer. Whether the RRB classifies a particular activity as self-employment or as work for an employer depends upon the circumstances of each case. These circumstances are prescribed in 20 CFR part 216. Under the 1988 amendments to the RRA, an applicant is no longer required to stop work for a ‘‘Last Pre-Retirement Nonrailroad Employer’’(LPE). However, section 2(f)(6) of the RRA requires that a portion of the employee’s Tier II benefit and supplemental annuity be deducted for earnings from a ‘‘LPE’’ employer. ‘‘LPE’’ is defined as the last person, company or institution with whom the employee or spouse applicant was employed concurrently with, or after, the applicant’s last railroad employment and before their annuity beginning date. If a spouse never worked for a railroad, the LPE employer is the last person for whom he or she worked. The RRB utilizes Form AA–4, SelfEmployment and Substantial Service Questionnaire, when an applicant claims to be self-employed to obtain information needed to determine if the applicant’s work is LPE, railroad service or self-employment. If the work is selfemployment, the questionnaire identifies any months in which the applicant did not perform substantial service. One response is requested of each respondent. Completion is voluntary. However, failure to complete E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1 51118 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Notices the form could result in the nonpayment of benefits. The RRB estimates the completion time for the AA–4 is estimated at between 40 and 70 minutes and that approximately 600 AA–4s are completed annually. The RRB proposes no changes to Form AA–4. Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751–3363 or send an e-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Patricia A. Henaghan, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611–2092 or send an e-mail to Patricia.Henaghan@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Charles Mierzwa, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–20549 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7905–01–P RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments Summary: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding two (2) Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collections of information to determine (1) The practical utility of the collections; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date. 1. Title and purpose of information collection: Employer Service and Compensation Reports, 3220–0070. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:40 Aug 17, 2010 Jkt 220001 Section 2(c) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) specifies the maximum normal unemployment and sickness benefits that may be paid in a benefit year. Section 2(c) further provides for extended benefits for certain employees and for beginning a benefit year early for other employees. The conditions for these actions are prescribed in 20 CFR part 302. All information about creditable railroad service and compensation needed by the RRB to administer Section 2(c) is not always available from annual reports filed by railroad employers with the RRB (OMB 3220– 0008). When this occurs, the RRB must obtain supplemental information about service and compensation. The RRB utilizes Form(s) UI–41, Supplemental Report of Service and Compensation, and UI–41a, Supplemental Report of Compensation, to obtain the necessary information. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Completion of the forms is mandatory. One response is required from a respondent. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (75 FR 21370 on April 23, 2010) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Employer Service and Compensation Reports. OMB Control Number: 3220–0070. Form(s) submitted: UI–41, UI–41a. Type of request: Extension without change of a previously approved collection. Affected public: Business or other forprofit. Abstract: The reports obtain the employee’s service and compensation for a period subsequent to those already on file and the employee’s base year compensation. The information is used to determine the entitlement to and the amount of benefits payable. Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form(s) UI–41 and UI– 41a. The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows: Estimated annual number of respondents: 30. Total annual responses: 3,000. Total annual reporting hours: 400. 2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection Supplement to Claim of Person Outside United States; 3220–0155. Under the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Pub. L. 98–21), PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 which amended Section 202(t) of the Social Security Act, the Tier I or the O/ M (overall minimum) portion of an annuity and Medicare benefits payable under the Railroad Retirement Act to certain beneficiaries living outside the U.S., may be withheld effective January 1, 1985. The benefit withholding provision of Public Law 98–21 applies to divorced spouses, spouses, minor or disabled children, students, and survivors of railroad employees who (1) Initially became eligible for Tier I amounts, O/M shares, and Medicare benefits after December 31, 1984; (2) are not U.S citizens or U.S. nationals; and (3) have resided outside the U.S for more than six consecutive months starting with the annuity beginning date. The benefit withholding provision does not apply, however to a beneficiary who is exempt under either a treaty obligation of the U.S., in effect on August 1, 1956, or a totalization agreement between the U.S. and the country in which the beneficiary resides, or to an individual who is exempt under other criteria specified in Public Law 98–21. RRB Form G–45, Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States, is currently used by the RRB to determine applicability of the withholding provision of Public Law 98–21. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Completion of Form G–45 is required to obtain or retain benefits. One response is required of each respondent. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (75 FR 21685 & 21686 on April 26, 2010) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments. Information Collection Request (ICR) Title: Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States. OMB Control Number: 3220–0155. Form(s) submitted: G–45. Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Affected public: Individuals or households. Abstract: Under Public Law 98–21, the Tier I or overall minimum portion of an annuity and Medicare benefits payable under the Railroad Retirement Act to certain beneficiaries living outside the United States may be withheld. The collection obtains the information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the benefit withholding provisions of Public Law 98–21. E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51117-51118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20549]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Data Collection(s) Available for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for 
public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data 
collections.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information 
collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden for the collection 
of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

1. Title and Purpose of Information Collection

Public Service Pension Questionnaires; OMB 3220-0136

    Public Law 95-216 amended the Social Security Act of 1977 by 
providing, in part, that spouse or survivor benefits may be reduced 
when the beneficiary is in receipt of a pension based on employment 
with a Federal, State, or local governmental unit. Initially, the 
reduction was equal to the full amount of the government pension.
    Public Law 98-21 changed the reduction to two-thirds of the amount 
of the government pension. Public Law 108-203 amended the Social 
Security Act by changing the requirement for exemption to public 
service offset, that Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes 
be deducted from the public service wages for the last 60 months of 
public service employment, rather than just the last day of public 
service employment.
    Sections 4(a)(1) and 4(f)(1) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) 
provides that a spouse or survivor annuity should be equal in amount to 
what the annuitant would receive if entitled to a like benefit from the 
Social Security Administration. Therefore, the public service pension 
(PSP) provisions apply to RRA annuities. RRB Regulations pertaining to 
the collection of evidence relating to public service pensions or 
worker's compensation paid to spouse or survivor applicants or 
annuitants are found in 20 CFR 219.64c.
    The RRB utilizes Form G-208, Public Service Pension Questionnaire, 
and Form G-212, Public Service Monitoring Questionnaire, to obtain 
information used to determine whether an annuity reduction is in order. 
Completion of the forms is voluntary. However, failure to complete the 
forms could result in the nonpayment of benefits. One response is 
requested of each respondent.
    The RRB proposes a non-burden impacting editorial change for 
clarification purposes to Form G-208 and no changes to Form G-212. The 
completion time for the G-208 is estimated at 16 minutes and the G-212 
is estimated at 15 minutes. The RRB estimates that approximately 70 
Form G-208's and 1,100 Form G-212's are completed annually.

2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection

Self-Employment and Substantial Service Questionnaire; OMB 3220-0138

    Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) provides for payment 
of annuities to qualified employees and their spouses. In order to 
receive an age and service annuity, Section 2(e)(3) states that an 
applicant must stop all railroad work and give up any rights to return 
to such work. However, applicants are not required to stop non-railroad 
work or self-employment.
    The RRB considers some work claimed as ``self-employment'' to 
actually be employment for an employer. Whether the RRB classifies a 
particular activity as self-employment or as work for an employer 
depends upon the circumstances of each case. These circumstances are 
prescribed in 20 CFR part 216.
    Under the 1988 amendments to the RRA, an applicant is no longer 
required to stop work for a ``Last Pre-Retirement Nonrailroad 
Employer''(LPE). However, section 2(f)(6) of the RRA requires that a 
portion of the employee's Tier II benefit and supplemental annuity be 
deducted for earnings from a ``LPE'' employer.
    ``LPE'' is defined as the last person, company or institution with 
whom the employee or spouse applicant was employed concurrently with, 
or after, the applicant's last railroad employment and before their 
annuity beginning date. If a spouse never worked for a railroad, the 
LPE employer is the last person for whom he or she worked.
    The RRB utilizes Form AA-4, Self-Employment and Substantial Service 
Questionnaire, when an applicant claims to be self-employed to obtain 
information needed to determine if the applicant's work is LPE, 
railroad service or self-employment. If the work is self-employment, 
the questionnaire identifies any months in which the applicant did not 
perform substantial service. One response is requested of each 
respondent. Completion is voluntary. However, failure to complete

[[Page 51118]]

the form could result in the nonpayment of benefits.
    The RRB estimates the completion time for the AA-4 is estimated at 
between 40 and 70 minutes and that approximately 600 AA-4s are 
completed annually. The RRB proposes no changes to Form AA-4.
    Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or 
to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, 
and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at 
(312) 751-3363 or send an e-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. 
Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to 
Patricia A. Henaghan, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or send an e-mail to 
Patricia.Henaghan@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 
60 days of this notice.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-20549 Filed 8-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P
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