Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) is proposing to modify an existing system of records titled, "Employee Benefits Records, FHFA-10." This system of records contains documentation pertaining to current and former FHFA employees and their spouses, domestic partners, dependents, and beneficiaries who are enrolled in, apply for, or participate in any FHFA employee benefits program including health club memberships; health, life, and other insurance programs; retirement savings programs; and other FHFA- sponsored benefit programs. The purpose of the system is to collect, maintain, and use the records necessary to administer and manage FHFA's employee benefits programs. The system supports the full lifecycle of benefits-related activities, and ensures the accurate processing of claims, reimbursements, contributions, payroll deductions, and benefit payments. The system also facilitates the recording and tracking of key program functions, including eligibility determinations, enrollments, changes in coverage, and termination of benefits. The proposed modifications include: revising the system security classification, system location, system manager, legal authorities for maintenance of the system, categories of individuals covered by the system, categories of records maintained in the system, and record source categories; the revision, removal, and addition of routine uses; removal of the Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies section; updating the policies and practices for storage of records, the policies and practices for retention and disposal of records, and the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards; and minor updates for clarity and consistency.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55580-55584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17585]


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FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

[No. 2026-N-9]


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Agency.

ACTION: Notice of a modified system of records.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 
1974, as amended, (Privacy Act), the Federal Housing Finance Agency 
(FHFA or Agency) is proposing to modify an existing system of records 
titled, ``Employee Benefits Records, FHFA-10.'' This system of records 
contains documentation pertaining to current and former FHFA employees 
and their spouses, domestic partners, dependents, and beneficiaries who 
are enrolled in, apply for, or participate in any FHFA employee 
benefits program including health club memberships; health, life, and 
other insurance programs; retirement savings programs; and other FHFA-
sponsored benefit programs. The purpose of the system is to collect, 
maintain, and use the records necessary to administer and manage FHFA's 
employee benefits programs. The system supports the full lifecycle of 
benefits-related activities, and ensures the accurate processing of 
claims, reimbursements, contributions, payroll deductions, and benefit 
payments. The system also facilitates the recording and tracking of key 
program functions, including eligibility determinations, enrollments, 
changes in coverage, and termination of benefits. The proposed 
modifications include: revising the system security classification, 
system location, system manager, legal authorities for maintenance of 
the system, categories of individuals covered by the system, categories 
of records maintained in the system, and record source categories; the 
revision, removal, and addition of routine uses; removal of the 
Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies section; updating the 
policies and practices for storage of records, the policies and 
practices for retention and disposal of records, and the 
administrative, technical, and physical safeguards; and minor updates 
for clarity and consistency.

DATES: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11), this modified 
system of records will go into effect without further notice on August 
28, 2026, unless otherwise revised pursuant to comments received. New 
routine uses will go into effect on September 28, 2026. Comments must 
be received on or before September 28, 2026. FHFA will publish a new 
notice if the effective date is delayed for the Agency to review the 
comments or if changes are made based on comments received.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FHFA, identified by ``No. 2026-N-9,'' 
using any one of the following methods:
    <bullet> Agency Website: <a href="https://www.fhfa.gov/regulation/federal-register?comments=open">https://www.fhfa.gov/regulation/federal-register?comments=open</a>.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. If you submit your 
comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please also send it by 
email to FHFA at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92c0f7f5d1fdfffff7fce6e1d2f4faf4f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4b68183a78b8989818a9097a4828c8285ca838b92">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> to ensure timely receipt by FHFA. 
Please include ``Comments/No. 2026-N-9'' in the subject line of the 
message.
    <bullet> Hand Delivered/Courier: The hand delivery address is: 
Clinton Jones, General Counsel, Attention: Comments/No. 2026-N-9, 
Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 
20219. The package should be delivered to the Seventh Street entrance 
Guard Desk, First Floor, on business days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
EST.
    <bullet> U.S. Mail, United Parcel Service, Federal Express, or 
Other Mail Service: Themailing address for comments is: Clinton Jones, 
General Counsel, Attention: Comments/No. 2026-N-9, Federal Housing 
Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20219. Please 
note that all mail sent to FHFA via the U.S. Postal Service is routed 
through a national irradiation facility, a process that may delay 
delivery by approximately two weeks. For any time-sensitive 
correspondence, please plan accordingly.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information on 
submission and posting of comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Senior Agency Official for Privacy, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afdfddc6d9ceccd6efc9c7c9ce81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="68181a011e090b11280e000e09460f071e">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or (202) 649-3803 (not a toll-free number), Federal 
Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20219. 
For TTY/TRS users with hearing and speech disabilities, dial 711 and 
ask to be connected to the contact number above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Comments

    FHFA seeks public comments on the revisions to the SORN identified 
in this notice and will take all comments into consideration. The 
Agency will post all public comments, including any personally 
identifiable information such as name and contact information, on the 
FHFA public website at <a href="https://www.fhfa.gov">https://www.fhfa.gov</a>, except as described below. 
Commenters should submit only information that the commenter wishes to 
make available publicly. FHFA will not redact personally identifiable 
information once it is submitted. Commenters who do not wish to be 
identified by their comments may submit their comments anonymously. 
FHFA may post only a single representative example of identical or 
substantially identical comments, and in such cases will generally 
identify the number of identical or substantially identical comments 
represented by the posted example. FHFA may, in its discretion, redact 
or refrain from posting all or any portion of any comment that contains 
content that is obscene, vulgar, profane, or threatens harm. All 
comments, including those that are redacted or not posted, will be 
retained in their original form in FHFA's internal file and considered 
as required by all applicable laws. Commenters who would like FHFA to 
consider any portion of their comment exempt from disclosure on the 
basis that it contains trade secrets, or financial, confidential or 
proprietary data or information, should follow the procedures in 
section IV.D. of FHFA's Policy on Communications with Outside Parties 
in Connection with FHFA Rulemakings, see <a href="https://www.fhfa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Ex-Parte-Communications-Public-Policy_3-5-19.pdf">https://www.fhfa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Ex-Parte-Communications-Public-Policy_3-5-19.pdf</a>. FHFA cannot guarantee that such data or information will remain 
confidential if disclosure is sought pursuant to an applicable statute 
or regulation. See 12 CFR 1202.8, 12 CFR 1214.2, and FHFA's FOIA 
Reference Guide at <a href="https://www.fhfa.gov/about/foia-reference-guide">https://www.fhfa.gov/about/foia-reference-guide</a> for 
additional information.

II. Introduction

    This notice informs the public of FHFA's proposed revisions to an 
existing system of records. This notice satisfies the Privacy Act 
requirement that an agency publish a system of records notice in the 
Federal Register when there is an addition or change to an agency's 
system of records. As required by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), 
and pursuant to section 7 of Office of Management and Budget

[[Page 55581]]

(OMB) Circular No. A-108, Federal Agency Responsibilities for Review, 
Reporting, and Publication under the Privacy Act, prior to publication 
of this notice, FHFA submitted a report describing the system of 
records covered by this notice to the OMB, the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

III. Revised System of Records

    The revised system of records notice is set out in its entirety and 
described in detail below. The proposed modification to ``Employee 
Benefits Records, FHFA-10'' makes the following substantive and non-
substantive changes:
    (1) Modifies the system's security classification consistent with 
OMB guidance;
    (2) Revises the Agency's official address and adds references to 
FHFA-authorized service providers and contractor networks in the system 
location;
    (3) Updates the contact information for the designated system 
manager;
    (4) Revises the legal authorities for maintaining the system;
    (5) Clarifies the system's purpose by detailing how the records 
support the administration and management of the program;
    (6) Clarifies that the categories of individuals covered in the 
system include beneficiaries and expounds upon applicable employee 
benefit programs;
    (7) Updates the categories of records maintained in the system by 
removing references to employees' emergency contact information and 
including beneficiaries and retirement savings contribution 
information;
    (8) Updates the record source categories to include relevant 
Federal agencies and FHFA benefits providers;
    (9) Revises existing routine use (1), which provides for 
disclosures ``[t]o appropriate federal, state, and local authorities 
responsible for investigating or prosecuting a violation of, or for 
enforcing or implementing a statute, rule, regulation, or order issued, 
when the information indicates a violation or potential violation of 
law, whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether 
arising by general statute or particular program statute, or by 
regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant thereto'' and renumbers it 
new routine use (3);
    (10) Revises existing routine use (2), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o a court, magistrate, or other administrative body in 
the course of presenting evidence, including disclosures to counsel or 
witnesses in the course of civil discovery, litigation, or settlement 
negotiations or in connection with criminal proceedings, when FHFA is a 
party to the proceeding or has a significant interest in the 
proceeding, to the extent that the information is determined to be 
relevant and necessary'' by dividing that routine use into new routine 
use (7), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o a court, magistrate, or 
administrative tribunal, including disclosures to opposing counsel or 
witnesses shared in the course of discovery, litigation, or settlement 
negotiations or in connection with criminal law proceedings or in 
response to a subpoena from a court of competent jurisdiction if the 
requested information is relevant and necessary to the pending judicial 
or administrative proceeding'' and new routine use (10), which provides 
for disclosure ``[t]o outside counsel contracted by FHFA, DOJ 
(including United States Attorney Offices), or other Federal agencies 
conducting litigation or in proceedings before any court, or 
adjudicative or administrative body, when it is relevant and necessary 
to the litigation and one of the following is a party to the litigation 
or has an interest in such litigation: (a) FHFA; (b) Any employee of 
FHFA in his/her official capacity; (c) Any employee of FHFA in his/her 
individual capacity where DOJ or FHFA has agreed to represent the 
employee; or (d) The United States or any agency thereof that is a 
party to the litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and FHFA 
determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the 
litigation'';
    (11) Revises existing routine use (4), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o appropriate federal, state, local authorities, and 
other entities when (a) It is suspected or confirmed that the security 
or confidentiality of information in the system of records has been 
compromised; (b) FHFA has determined that as a result of the suspected 
or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property 
interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or 
integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether 
maintained by FHFA or another agency or entity) that rely upon the 
compromised information; and (c) the disclosure is made to such 
agencies, entities, and persons who are reasonably necessary to assist 
in connection with FHFA's efforts to respond to the suspected or 
confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm,'' by 
dividing that routine use into new routine use (1), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when--(a) 
FHFA suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the 
system of records; (b) FHFA has determined that as a result of a 
suspected or confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals, 
FHFA (including its information systems, programs, and operations), the 
Federal Government, or national security; and (c) The disclosure is 
made to agencies, entities, and persons as reasonably necessary to 
assist with FHFA's efforts to: (i) Respond to a suspected or confirmed 
breach; or (ii) Prevent, minimize, or remedy harm caused by such 
breach,'' and new routine use (2), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o 
a Federal agency or Federal entity, when FHFA determines information 
from the 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 to national security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed 
breach'';
    (12) Revises existing routine use (7), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o appropriate federal agencies and other public 
authorities for use in records management inspections'' into new 
routine use (11), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o the National 
Archives and Records Administration or other Federal agencies pursuant 
to records management inspections being conducted under the authority 
of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906'';
    (13) Revises existing routine use (9), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o contractor personnel, grantees, volunteers, interns, 
and others performing or working on a contract, service, grant, 
cooperative agreement, or project for the Federal Government'' into new 
routine use (5), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o any contractor, 
agent, or other authorized individual performing work on a contract, 
service, cooperative agreement, job, or other activity on behalf of 
FHFA who has a need to access the information in the performance of 
their official duties or activities'';
    (14) Revises existing routine use (10), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o the Department of Agriculture, National Finance 
Center to provide personnel, payroll, and related services and systems 
involving FHFA employees'' into new routine use (16), which

[[Page 55582]]

provides for disclosure ``[t]o the Department of Interior, to provide 
personnel, payroll, and related services and systems involving FHFA 
employees'';
    (15) Removes existing routine use (11), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o the Department of Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt 
to provide financial management services and systems, including local 
and temporary duty travel, involving FHFA employees'';
    (16) Revises existing routine use (12), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o the Internal Revenue Service and appropriate State 
and local taxing authorities'' into new routine use (17), which 
provides for disclosure ``[t]o the Internal Revenue Service and 
appropriate state and local taxing authorities if the employee is 
subject to tax by that authority and to the extent necessary for that 
entity to carry out its legally authorized functions, whether or not 
tax is withheld'';
    (17) Revises existing routine use (13), which provides for 
disclosure ``[t]o appropriate Federal agencies to effect salary or 
administrative offsets, or for other purposes connected with the 
collection of debts owed to the United States'' into new routine use 
(18), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury, Federal debt collection centers, other appropriate Federal 
agencies, and private collection contractors or other third parties 
authorized by law, for the purpose of collecting or assisting in the 
collection of delinquent debts owed to FHFA or the Federal government. 
Disclosure will be limited to the individual's name, Social Security 
number, and other information necessary to establish the identity of 
the individual, and the existence, validity, amount, status, and 
history of the debt'';
    (18) Adds new routine use (4), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o 
any individual during the course of any inquiry or investigation 
conducted by FHFA, or in connection with civil litigation, if FHFA has 
reason to believe the individual to whom the record is disclosed may 
have further information about the matters related thereto, and the 
record appears to be relevant and necessary at the time to the subject 
matter of the inquiry'';
    (19) Adds new routine use (8), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o 
the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Justice (DOJ), 
Department of Labor, Office of Personnel Management, the Equal 
Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Office of Special Counsel 
Department of Homeland Security, or other Federal agencies, to obtain 
advice regarding statutory, regulatory, policy, and other requirements 
related to the purpose for which FHFA collected the records'';
    (20) Adds new routine use (9), which provides for disclosure ``[t]o 
appropriate third parties contracted by FHFA to facilitate mediation or 
other dispute resolution procedures or programs, where the record is 
relevant to the dispute and the dispute is related to the purpose for 
which the record was collected'';
    (21) Adds new routine use (12), which provides for disclosure 
``[t]o an agency, organization, or individual for the purpose of 
performing audit or oversight operations as authorized by law, but only 
such information as is relevant and necessary to such audit or 
oversight functions'';
    (22) Adds new routine use (23), which provides for disclosure 
``[t]o the U.S. Department of the Treasury when disclosure of the 
information is relevant to review payment and award eligibility through 
the Do Not Pay Working System for the purposes of identifying, 
preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant for, or 
recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a state 
(meaning a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, a 
territory or possession of the United States, or a federally recognized 
Indian tribe) in a state-administered, federally funded program in 
accordance with Executive Order 14249'';
    (23) Removes the ``Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies'' 
category to align with OMB guidance;
    (24) Updates the policies and practices for storage of records with 
FHFA's modernized practices, including use of Federal Records Centers;
    (25) Revises the policies and practices for the retention and 
disposal of records to add the Agency's retention practices related to 
legal holds and business use of records;
    (26) Revises the ``Administrative, Technical, and Physical 
Safeguards'' category to replace ``access codes'' with ``role-based 
access controls'' to reflect current practices; and
    (27) Makes minor corrections and other administrative updates to 
the remaining sections of the notice in accordance with OMB Circular A-
108 and related OMB guidance.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
    Employee Benefits Records, FHFA-10.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Unclassified.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, 
DC 20219, and any alternate work site used by employees of FHFA, 
including contractors assisting agency employees, FHFA-authorized 
service providers, and FHFA-authorized contractor networks located 
within the Continental United States.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
    Chief Human Resource Officer, Office of Human Resources Management, 
Federal Housing Finance Agency, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#583a3d363d3e312c2b183e303e39763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4426212a21222d303704222c22256a232b32">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> 400 Seventh Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20219.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    12 U.S.C. 4513(a)(2)(B); 12 U.S.C. 4515(a); 5 U.S.C. 7901; 5 U.S.C. 
Chapter 84; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 87; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 
89A; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89B; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 90.

PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
    The purpose of the system is to collect, maintain, and use records 
necessary to administer and manage FHFA's employee benefits programs. 
The system supports the full lifecycle of benefits-related activities 
for current and former employees, their spouses, domestic partners, 
dependents, and designated beneficiaries who are enrolled in, apply 
for, or otherwise participate in Agency-sponsored benefit programs. The 
system ensures the accurate processing of claims, reimbursements, 
contributions, payroll deductions, and benefit payments. It also 
facilitates the recording and tracking of key program functions, 
including eligibility determinations, enrollments, changes in coverage, 
and termination of benefits.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    To the extent not covered by any other system, this system covers 
current and former FHFA employees and their spouses, domestic partners, 
dependents and beneficiaries who are enrolled in, apply for, or 
participate in one or more of FHFA employee benefit programs including 
retirement savings, health club memberships, health, life, and other 
insurance programs, and other FHFA-sponsored benefit programs.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    This system contains general enrollment and claim information for 
FHFA-sponsored programs. As appropriate to the specific program, 
records contain salary and earnings; name of employee and employee's 
spouse, domestic partner, and dependents and their sex, birth date,

[[Page 55583]]

home address, contact information (including home phone number, mobile 
phone number, and personal email address), and Social Security number; 
beneficiary information including names and dates of birth; membership 
in professional organizations (including membership number); retirement 
savings contribution information; health, life, vision, and dental 
information; claims for reimbursement; student loan information; and 
related information.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    The information is provided by current and former employees, the 
Office of Human Resources Management, FHFA personnel records, the 
Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Labor, the Thrift 
Savings Plan, and vendors who provide benefits services such health, 
dental, and vision insurance providers.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records and information contained 
therein may specifically be disclosed outside of FHFA as a routine use 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows, to the extent such 
disclosures are compatible with the purposes for which the information 
was collected:
    (1) To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when--
    (a) FHFA suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of 
the system of records;
    (b) FHFA has determined that as a result of a suspected or 
confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals, FHFA 
(including its information systems, programs, and operations), the 
Federal Government, or national security; and
    (c) The disclosure is made to agencies, entities, and persons as 
reasonably necessary to assist with FHFA's efforts to:
    (i) Respond to a suspected or confirmed breach; or
    (ii) Prevent, minimize, or remedy harm caused by such breach.
    (2) To a Federal agency or Federal entity, when FHFA determines 
information from the 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 to 
national security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.
    (3) When there is an indication of a violation or potential 
violation of law (whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature or 
whether arising by general statute or particular program statute or by 
regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant thereto), the relevant 
records in the system of records may be referred, as a routine use, to 
the appropriate agency (e.g., federal, state, local, tribal, foreign or 
a financial regulatory organization) charged with the responsibility of 
investigating or prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing 
or implementing a statute, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant 
thereto.
    (4) To any individual during the course of any inquiry or 
investigation conducted by FHFA, or in connection with civil 
litigation, if FHFA has reason to believe the individual to whom the 
record is disclosed may have further information about the matters 
related thereto, and the record appears to be relevant and necessary at 
the time to the subject matter of the inquiry.
    (5) To any contractor, agent, or other authorized individual 
performing work on a contract, service, cooperative agreement, job, or 
other activity on behalf of FHFA who has a need to access the 
information in the performance of their official duties or activities.
    (6) To a Congressional office from the record of an individual in 
response to an inquiry from the Congressional office made at the 
request of that individual.
    (7) To a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal, including 
disclosures to opposing counsel or witnesses, shared in the course of 
discovery, litigation, or settlement negotiations or in connection with 
criminal law proceedings or in response to a subpoena from a court of 
competent jurisdiction if the requested information is relevant and 
necessary to the pending judicial or administrative proceeding.
    (8) To the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of 
Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor, Office of Personnel Management, the 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Office of Special 
Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, or other Federal agencies, to 
obtain advice regarding statutory, regulatory, policy, and other 
requirements related to the purpose for which FHFA collected the 
records.
    (9) To appropriate third parties contracted by FHFA to facilitate 
mediation or other dispute resolution procedures or programs, where the 
record is relevant to the dispute and the dispute is related to the 
purpose for which the record was collected.
    (10) To outside counsel contracted by FHFA, DOJ (including United 
States Attorney Offices), or other Federal agencies conducting 
litigation or in proceedings before any court, or adjudicative or 
administrative body, when it is relevant and necessary to the 
litigation and one of the following is a party to the litigation or has 
an interest in such litigation:
    (a) FHFA;
    (b) Any employee of FHFA in his/her official capacity;
    (c) Any employee of FHFA in his/her individual capacity where DOJ 
or FHFA has agreed to represent the employee; or
    (d) The United States or any agency thereof that is a party to the 
litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and FHFA determines 
that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation.
    (11) To the National Archives and Records Administration or other 
Federal agencies pursuant to records management inspections being 
conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
    (12) To an agency, organization, or individual for the purpose of 
performing audit or oversight operations as authorized by law, but only 
such information as is relevant and necessary to such audit or 
oversight functions.
    (13) To appropriate federal, state, and local authorities in 
connection with hiring or retaining an individual, conducting a 
background security or suitability investigation, adjudication of 
liability, or eligibility for a license, contract, grant, or other 
benefit.
    (14) To appropriate federal, state, and local authorities, 
agencies, arbitrators, and other parties responsible for processing any 
personnel actions or conducting administrative hearings or corrective 
actions or grievances or appeals, or if needed in the performance of 
other authorized duties.
    (15) To officials of a labor organization when relevant and 
necessary to their duties of exclusive representation concerning 
personnel policies, practices, and matters affecting working 
conditions.
    (16) To the Department of Interior, to provide personnel, payroll, 
and related services and systems involving FHFA employees.
    (17) To the Internal Revenue Service and appropriate state and 
local taxing authorities if the employee is subject to tax by that 
authority and to the extent necessary for that entity to carry out its

[[Page 55584]]

legally authorized functions, whether or not tax is withheld.
    (18) To the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal debt 
collection centers, other appropriate Federal agencies, and private 
collection contractors or other third parties authorized by law, for 
the purpose of collecting or assisting in the collection of delinquent 
debts owed to FHFA or the Federal government. Disclosure will be 
limited to the individual's name, Social Security number, and other 
information necessary to establish the identity of the individual, and 
the existence, validity, amount, status, and history of the debt.
    (19) To the Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for 
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services for the 
purpose of locating individuals to establish paternity, establish and 
modify orders of child support enforcement actions as required by the 
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the 
Federal Parent Locator System and the Federal Tax Offset System.
    (20) To the Office of Child Support Enforcement for release to the 
Social Security Administration for verifying Social Security numbers in 
connection with the operation of the Federal Parent Locator System by 
the Office of Child Support Enforcement.
    (21) To the Office of Child Support Enforcement for release to the 
U.S. Department of the Treasury for purposes of administering the 
Earned Income Tax Credit Program and verifying a claim with respect to 
employment in a tax return.
    (22) To commercial benefit providers, carriers, vendors, contractor 
personnel, and agents to process claims and provide related 
administrative services involving FHFA employees.
    (23) To the U.S. Department of the Treasury when disclosure of the 
information is relevant to review payment and award eligibility through 
the Do Not Pay Working System for the purposes of identifying, 
preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant for, or 
recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a state 
(meaning a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, a 
territory or possession of the United States, or a federally recognized 
Indian tribe) in a state-administered, federally funded program in 
accordance with Executive Order 14249.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
    Records at FHFA are maintained in electronic format. Electronic 
records are stored on FHFA's secured network, the networks of FHFA-
authorized cloud service providers, FHFA-authorized contractor 
networks, or the networks of other Federal agencies (or their 
authorized contractors) acting as shared service providers for FHFA. 
All networks are located within the Continental United States. All 
records for the system that were stored in paper format or on magnetic 
disk or tape at FHFA have been moved off-site to Federal Records 
Centers.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
    Records are retrieved by the name, Social Security number, assigned 
file number, or employee identification number.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
    The records are retained and managed in accordance with FHFA's 
Comprehensive Records Schedule and the National Archives and Records 
Administration's General Records Schedule. Records are destroyed or 
deleted according to the retention schedule associated with the 
relevant records schedule, but longer retention is authorized for 
business use and any applicable legal holds. Paper and microform 
records ready for disposal are destroyed by shredding or maceration. 
Records in electronic media are electronically erased using accepted 
techniques.

ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
    The electronic records are safeguarded in a secured environment and 
protected by controlled access procedures through the use of role-based 
access controls and other information technology security measures. 
FHFA buildings where records and computerized systems are stored have 
security cameras and 24-hour security guard service. Access to records 
is restricted to only FHFA employees, FHFA contractors, and the 
employees and contractors of FHFA's shared service providers who 
require access in the performance of official duties related to the 
purposes for which the system of records is maintained.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Individuals seeking access to and/or amendment of records about 
themselves contained in this system of records should follow the 
``Notification Procedures'' below.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    Individuals seeking access to and/or amendment of records about 
themselves contained in this system of records should follow the 
``Notification Procedures'' below.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
    Individuals seeking notification of any records about themselves 
contained in this system of records should address their inquiry to the 
Privacy Act Officer via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2b2b0abb4a3a1bb82a4aaa4a3eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f686849f8097958fb6909e9097d8919980">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, by mail to the 
Federal Housing Finance Agency, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 
20219, or in accordance with the procedures set forth in 12 CFR part 
1204. Please note that all mail sent to FHFA via the U.S. Postal 
Service is routed through a national irradiation facility, a process 
that may delay delivery by approximately two weeks. For any time-
sensitive correspondence, please plan accordingly.

EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
    None.

HISTORY:
    The system of records notice was last published in the Federal 
Register at 76 FR 33286 on June 8, 2011 and 80 FR 60900 on October 8, 
2015.

Clinton Jones,
General Counsel, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
[FR Doc. 2026-17585 Filed 8-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8070-01-P


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