Notice2023-18980
Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 1, 2023
Issuing agencies
Railroad Retirement Board
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60511-60513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18980]
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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding 4
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 the
RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper
consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive
them within 30 days of the publication date.
1. Title and Purpose of information collection: Certification
Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits; OMB 3220-0079.
Under section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA)
(45 U.S.C. 354), an employee who leaves work voluntarily is
disqualified for unemployment benefits unless the employee left work
for good cause and is not qualified for unemployment benefits under any
other law. RRB Form UI-45, Claimant's Statement--Voluntary Leaving of
Work, is used by the RRB to obtain the claimant's statement when the
claimant, the claimant's employer, or another source indicates that the
claimant has voluntarily left work.
Completion of Form UI-45 is required to obtain or retain benefits.
One response is received from each respondent.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (88 FR 41993 on June 28, 2023) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Certification Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits.
OMB Control Number: 3220-0079.
Form(s) submitted: UI-45.
Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Affected public: Individuals or households.
Abstract: In administering the disqualification for the voluntary
leaving of work provision of Section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment
Insurance Act, the Railroad Retirement Board investigates an
unemployment claim that indicates the claimant left voluntarily. The
certification obtains information needed to determine if the leaving
was for good cause.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form UI-45.
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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UI-45........................................................ 200 15 50
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2. Title and Purpose of information collection: Self-Employment and
Substantial Service Questionnaire; OMB 3220-0138.
Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) (45 U.S.C. 231a)
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
[[Page 60512]]
circumstances are prescribed in 20 CFR 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 the ``LPE.''
The ``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 is the last person for whom he or she worked.
The RRB utilizes Form AA-4, Self-Employment and Substantial Service
Questionnaire, to obtain information needed to determine if the work
the applicant claims is self-employment is really self-employment or
work for an LPE or railroad service. If the work is self-employment,
the questionnaire identifies any month in which the applicant did not
perform substantial service.
Completion is voluntary. However, failure to complete the form
could result in the nonpayment of benefits. One response is requested
of each respondent.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (88 FR 41993 on June 28, 2023) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Self-Employment and Substantial Service Questionnaire.
OMB Control Number: 3220-0138.
Form(s) submitted: AA-4.
Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Affected public: Individuals or households.
Abstract: Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) provides
for payment of annuities to qualified employees and their spouses. Work
for a Last Pre-Retirement Nonrailroad Employer (LPE), and work in self-
employment affect payment in different ways. This collection obtains
information to determine whether claimed self-employment is really
self-employment, and not work for a railroad or LPE.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to the form AA-4.
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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AA-4 (With assistance).......................................... 1,109 40 739
AA-4 (Without assistance)....................................... 58 70 68
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Total....................................................... 1,167 .............. 807
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3. Title and purpose of information collection: Vocational Report;
OMB 3220-0141.
Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) (45 U.S.C. 231a)
provides for payment of disability annuities to qualified employees and
widow(ers). The establishment of permanent disability for work in the
applicant's ``regular occupation'' or for work in any regular
employment is prescribed in 20 CFR 220.12 and 220.13 respectively.
The RRB utilizes Form G-251, Vocational Report, to obtain an
applicant's work history. This information is used by the RRB to
determine the effect of a disability on an applicant's ability to work.
Form G-251 is designed for use with the RRB's disability benefit
application forms and is provided to all applicants for employee
disability annuities and to those applicants for a widow(er)'s
disability annuity who indicate that they have been employed at some
time.
Completion is required to obtain or retain a benefit. One response
is requested of each respondent.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (88 FR 41994 on June 28, 2023) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Vocational Report.
OMB Control Number: 3220-0141.
Form(s) submitted: G-251.
Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Affected public: Individuals or households.
Abstract: Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act provides for the
payment of disability annuities to qualified employees and widow(er)s.
In order to determine the effect of a disability on an annuitant's
ability to work, the RRB needs the applicant's work history. The
collection obtains the information needed to determine their ability to
work.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-251.
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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G-251 (with assistance)......................................... 2,866 40 1,911
G-251 (without assistance)...................................... 136 50 113
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Total....................................................... 3,002 .............. 2,024
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4. Title and Purpose of information collection: Designation of
Contact Officials; 3220-0200.
Coordination between railroad employers and the RRB is essential to
properly administer the payment of benefits under the Railroad
Retirement Act (RRA) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act
(RUIA). In order to enhance timely coordination activity, the RRB
utilizes Form G-117A, Designation of Contact Officials. Form G-117A is
used by railroad employers to designate employees who are to act as
point of contact with the RRB on a variety of RRA and RUIA-related
matters.
Form G-117a (internet), Designation of Contact Officials, is
available to employers who request access to the form through the RRB's
Employer Reporting System (ERS). The G-117a (internet) consists of a
series of screens
[[Page 60513]]
that allows users to view the Contact Officials currently on file for
the employer. Users will be able to edit and delete existing Contact
Officials, as well as add new Contact Officials. The screen to edit and
add Contact Officials collects essentially the same information as the
approved paper Form G-117a. The internet version provides for the
required notices and certifications, contains help messages to ensure
users provide valid contact information, and prevents users from
deleting Contact Officials without first providing a replacement.
Completion is voluntary. One response is requested from each
respondent.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (88 FR 41994 on June 28, 2023) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Designation of Contact Officials.
OMB Control Number: 3220-0200.
Form(s) submitted: G-117A & G-117A (internet).
Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected public: Private sector; businesses or other for profits.
Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) requests that
railroad employers designate employees to act as liaison with the RRB
on a variety of Railroad Retirement Act and Railroad Unemployment
Insurance Act matters.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes to change the Form G-117a
(Paper) by adding updated language in section 12, Signature line. The
language proposed is, ``The above officials of this employer are
authorized to serve in the capacities indicated and to act as trusted
referees for the RRB in accordance with the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-63A guidelines
for online reporting access.'' The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-
117a (internet).
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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G-117A.......................................................... 25 15 6
G-117a (Internet)............................................... 200 5 17
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Total....................................................... 225 .............. 23
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Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and
supporting documents can be obtained from Kennisha Money at (312) 469-
2591 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#551e303b3b3c263d347b183a3b302c152727377b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6ad8388888f958e87c8ab8988839fa6949484c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>. Comments regarding the information
collection should be addressed to Brian Foster, Railroad Retirement
Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cd8fbfa4aca3e38ba2beb9a8bf8dbfbfafe3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="11536378707f3f577e62657463516363733f767e67">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice
to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular information
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
Brian Foster,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-18980 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 1, 2023.
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