Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
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Issuing agencies
Abstract
The Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108 requires that each agency publish notice of a new or modified system of records that it maintains. Section 523 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as added by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, requires the Department of Labor (DOL) to create an online searchable database called the "Retirement Savings Lost and Found." This notice proposes a new system of records for the Retirement Savings Lost and Found that contains information about individuals who are or were participants in certain workplace-sponsored retirement plans. The system is designed to help individuals who may have lost track of their retirement plan search for the contact information of the appropriate plan administrator and make a claim for benefits owed to them.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 212 (Friday, November 1, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87424-87426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25405]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA), Department of
Labor.
ACTION: Notice of a new system of records.
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SUMMARY: The Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Circular No. A-108 requires that each agency publish notice of a
new or modified system of records that it maintains. Section 523 of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as added by the SECURE
2.0 Act of 2022, requires the Department of Labor (DOL) to create an
online searchable database called the ``Retirement Savings Lost and
Found.'' This notice proposes a new system of records for the
Retirement Savings Lost and Found that contains information about
individuals who are or were participants in certain workplace-sponsored
retirement plans. The system is designed to help individuals who may
have lost track of their retirement plan search for the contact
information of the appropriate plan administrator and make a claim for
benefits owed to them.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than December 2, 2024. This
new SORN is effective upon publication of this Notice. If no public
comments are received, the routine uses will be effective beginning
December 2, 2024. If the DOL receives public comments, the DOL will
review the comments to determine whether any changes to the notice are
necessary.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may
submit comments by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6a3a4b5a7e8a9b6b486a2a9aae8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ceabacbdafe0a1bebc8eaaa1a2e0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Mail, hand delivery, or courier: U.S. Department of Labor,
Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Research and
Analysis, Attention: PRA Officer, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-
5718. In your comment, specify RSLF SORN.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To submit general questions about the
system of records, contact Stephen Sklenar by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c5f474049424d5e025f58495c44494202416c484340024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="780b13141d16190a560b0c1d08101d165615381c1714561f170e">[email protected]</span></a> or by phone at (202) 693-8500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 523 of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA), as added by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022,\1\
requires the Department of Labor (DOL) to create an online searchable
database called the ``Retirement Savings Lost and Found'' (RSLF). The
RSLF is designed to help individuals who may have lost track of a
retirement plan to search for the
[[Page 87425]]
contact information of the plan administrator in order to make a claim
with the plan administrator for benefits owed to them.
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\1\ See Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-
328, division T, title III--Simplification and Clarification of
Retirement Plan Rules, section 303; 136 Stat. 4459.
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The RSLF is a secure online database that contains information
about individuals who are, or were, participants in certain workplace-
sponsored retirement plans. It has two portals: a public portal and an
intake portal. The public portal allows individuals to search for
information that enables them to locate the administrator of any plan
with respect to which they are or were a participant. The intake portal
allows plan administrators or authorized plan record keepers, to upload
data into the database. Plan administrators or authorized plan record
keepers are not required to submit this information to DOL. Uploading
any such data is strictly voluntary.
Both portals use <a href="http://Login.gov">Login.gov</a> to grant and manage user access. The
public portal requires users to enter their Social Security number
(SSN) as the search parameter. If positive results are found in plan
administrator-provided data, the name and contact information of the
plan administrator holding the benefits is displayed to authenticated
users. No other information will be displayed. If no results are found,
a negative results message is displayed.
In addition to data received directly from plan administrators, DOL
will also receive benefit data on plan participants from the Social
Security Administration (SSA) that is reported to SSA annually via the
8955-SSA Form. The SSA data will be extracted by SSA from its 8955-SSA
database and securely delivered to EBSA as structured/tabular data in a
common (e.g., CSV) file format. If positive results are found in SSA-
provided data, the name and contact information of the plan
administrator holding the benefits and benefit information (e.g., year
reported, amount, type of annuity (if applicable), payment frequency,
units/shares and account value(s)) is displayed to authenticated users.
If no results are found, a negative results message is displayed.
Individuals will also be able to opt-out of having their data
searchable. Limited information (e.g., name, last 4 digits of SSN) used
to match the opt-out request to any data in the RSLF, will be collected
from individuals and stored in a separate opt-out table.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
Retirement Savings Lost and Found, DOL/EBSA-16.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
The address of the agency component responsible for the system of
records is Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution
Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The system resides on DOL's secure cloud and
data center computing infrastructure.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Director, Office of Program Planning and Performance Evaluation
(OPPEM), Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution
Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20210.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
Section 523 of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1153).
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
The RSLF is an online searchable database designed to help
individuals who may have lost track of retirement plan assets to search
for the contact information of the associated plan administrator and
make a claim with the plan administrator for benefits owed to them.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
Individuals who are or were a participant or beneficiary who may
have vested, unclaimed retirement benefits with a plan to which the
vesting standards of section 203 of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1053) apply.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
The system contains information about individuals who have vested
retirement benefits with a plan to which the vesting standards of
section 203 of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1053) apply. The records include the
participant's first name, middle initial, last name, Social Security
number, the name of the plan, plan number, plan sponsor name, plan
sponsor Employer Identification Number (EIN), plan sponsor phone
number, plan administrator name, plan administrator EIN, plan
administrator phone number, plan administrator address, participant
Social Security Number (SSN), and participant name. The records also
include benefit data on plan participants from the Social Security
Administration (SSA) that is reported to SSA annually via the 8955-SSA
Form including: benefit information--e.g., year reported, amount, type
of annuity (if applicable), payment frequency, units/shares and account
value(s).
Individual who opt-out of the RSLF will have their first name, last
name, and last 4 digits of SSN stored by DOL in an opt-out table.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide DOL with
information from IRS Form 8955-SSA filings, which plans are required to
file each year.
The administrator of a plan described in 29 U.S.C. 1053 may
voluntarily provide information about individuals who are 65 or older
directly to DOL through the intake portal.
Individuals will provide information to DOL if they elect to opt-
out of the RSLF.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
These routine uses specify circumstances, in addition to those
provided by statute in the Privacy Act of 1974 at 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) and
the uses described in section 523 of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1153), under
which DOL may disclose information from this system of records without
the consent of the individual.
1. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (a) DOL
suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the system of
records; (b) DOL has determined that as a result of the suspected or
confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals, DOL (including
its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal
Government, or national security; and (c) the disclosure made to such
agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in
connection with DOL's efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed
breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.
2. To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when DOL determines
that information from this system of records is reasonably necessary to
assist the recipient agency or entity in (a) responding to a suspected
or confirmed breach or (b) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the
risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including
its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal
Government, or national security, resulting from a suspected or
confirmed breach.
3. To contractors and employees of contractors who have been
engaged to assist the agency in the performance of or working on a
contract or other activity or service for the RSLF. However, no
disclosure of data provided to DOL by SSA (from IRS Form 8955-SSA
filings) will be made to contractors or employees of contractors.
Disclosure will be limited to plan administrator-provided data.
[[Page 87426]]
Note: Recipients will be required to comply with the
requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a;
see also 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
The records are stored within secure databases that reside within
the U.S. Department of Labor's secure cloud and data center computing
infrastructure.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
Individuals searching for lost retirement benefits retrieve data
from the system through the uses of a web-based search form which
queries the databases, but must use <a href="http://Login.gov">Login.gov</a> to obtain a credential
that verifies that the individual is properly identity-proofed. EBSA
Benefit Advisors will have access to RSLF data through searching on
transaction number that public users will receive in (1) search of RSLF
search (both successful and unsuccessful searches) and (2) opting-out
from data being included in Lost & Found Search through the Ask EBSA
webform. Members of the application support team will have the ability
to retrieve information from the databases in order to perform data
validation and integrity checks.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Records received from SSA will be retained in accordance with
statutory requirements and consistent with SSA's own records schedules
associated with this data. These SSA retention policies include:
1. Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN
Applications, 60-0058 which classifies the records as ``TEMPORARY, [to]
destroy 300 years after date of enumeration, or when no longer needed
for Agency business, whichever is later.''
2. Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System, 60-0059
which classifies the records as ``Temporary [to] delete/destroy the
Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System record on an
individual's SSN 300 years after the number holder's date of birth.''
If required, DOL will establish its own NARA Records Schedule apart
from the above SSA schedules to remain consistent with their
requirements. Plan administrator-provided data will adhere to the same
retention timeframes.
All records will be disposed of in accordance with the DOL
guidelines, NARA records retention schedule(s), and IRS Publication
1075, as applicable. For the 1075-covered data (i.e., data received
from SSA), DOL will dispose of data according to guidance in IRS
Publication 1075.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
Records in this system are safeguarded in accordance with
applicable rules and policies, including all applicable DOL systems
security and privacy policies. All DOL users are subject to a Code of
Conduct that includes the requirement for confidentiality. DOL
Personnel (employees, contractors, interns, volunteers) receive annual
training on privacy and confidentiality policies and practices. Access
to the PII is restricted to authorized personnel only. Appropriate NIST
security and privacy controls for protecting PII are imposed. DOL users
access the portal using government furnished computers which require a
Personal Identity Verification card to login. Public users (IAL2-level
identity authenticated) and Plan Administrator users rely upon
<a href="http://Login.gov">Login.gov</a> credentials for access. All data is encrypted at rest and in
transit.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
If an individual wishes to access their own data in the system, the
individual should contact EBSA directly and follow the instructions for
making a Privacy Act Request on the DOL's web page at: <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/privacy/instructions">https://www.dol.gov/general/privacy/instructions</a>. The DOL also describes its
process for requesting records under the Privacy Act in regulations at
29 CFR 71.2. Individuals who need additional assistance may also reach
out to the DOL's Privacy Office by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0676746f7067657f4662696a28616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f787859e8196948eb793989bd9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
If an individual wishes to request a correction or amendment of a
record, the individual should send their request to EBSA directly. The
request must be in writing and must identify:
<bullet> The name of the individual making the request,
<bullet> The particular record in question,
<bullet> The correction or amendment sought,
<bullet> The justification for the change, and
<bullet> Any other pertinent information to help identify the file.
Additional information can be found on the DOL's web page at:
<a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/privacy/instructions">https://www.dol.gov/general/privacy/instructions</a>. The DOL also
describes its process for requesting a correction or amendment at 29
CFR 71.9. Individuals who need additional assistance may also reach out
to the DOL's Privacy Office by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#38484a514e595b41785c5754165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a0a08130c1b19033a1e1516541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
If an individual wishes to know if a system contains information
about the individual, the individual should contact EBSA directly and
follow the instructions for making a Privacy Act Request on the DOL's
web page at: <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/privacy/instructions">https://www.dol.gov/general/privacy/instructions</a>. The DOL
also describes its process for requesting records under the Privacy Act
in regulations at 29 CFR 71.2. Individuals who need additional
assistance may also reach out to the DOL's Privacy Office by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8dfdffe4fbeceef4cde9e2e1a3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ed9d9f849b8c8e94ad898281c38a829b">[email protected]</span></a>.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
HISTORY:
None.
Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle,
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-25405 Filed 10-31-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P
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</html>This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.