Notice2026-19022
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 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Railroad Retirement Board
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58923-58926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19022]
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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
[[Page 58924]]
60-day notice (91 FR 44882 on July 17, 2026) 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: Revision 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 the following changes to Form
UI-45:
<bullet> In Paperwork Reduction Act/Privacy Act Notices, changed
last sentence to ``If you wish, send comments regarding the accuracy of
our estimate, or any other aspect of this form, including suggestions
for reducing completion time, to: Railroad Retirement Board, ATTN:
Bureau of Information Services/Policy & Compliance, 844 N. Rush
Street., Chicago, IL 60611-1275.''
<bullet> Below Paperwork Reduction Act/Privacy Act Notices, changed
to ``Print all answers in ink.''
<bullet> In Section 1.C., added new sentence ``Include attempts you
made to address issues or grievances with the employer prior to
leaving.''
<bullet> In Section 3.A., changed to ``Have you applied for and/or
claimed any state unemployment benefits of unemployment benefits under
any law other than the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act? If ``Yes,''
show the name, address, and telephone number of the office/agency where
you applied. If ``No,'' go to section 4.''
<bullet> In Section 3.B, changed to ``Have you been denied any such
benefits? If ``Yes,'' attach a copy of the notice or decision from the
unemployment office at which you applied.''
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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UI-45........................................................... 176 15 44
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Total....................................................... 176 .............. 44
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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 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 (91 FR 44882 on July 17, 2026) 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: Revision 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 the following changes to the AA-
4:
<bullet> On Page 1, changed grey section at the top of the page to
``DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE--RRB Official Use Only''.
<bullet> On Page 1, Paperwork Reduction Act/Privacy Act Notices,
(1) changed 2nd sentence to ``This information is needed to determine
whether your self-employment or business activity (which includes all
forms of work or investment regardless of profit or passive income)
will affect your railroad retirement benefits under the RRA.'', (2)
added new 4th sentence ``If there are self-employment, business or any
other type of earnings reported to the RRB that are miscategorized or
incorrectly associated to you, then please inform an RRB representative
so that you are given instructions on how to correct your earnings
record.'', and (3) changed last sentence to ``Railroad Retirement
Board, ATTN: Bureau of Information Services/Policy & Compliance, 844 N.
Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-1275.''
<bullet> In Section 1, changed year for example date to ``June 6,
2026.''
<bullet> In Section 2, removed instructions below item 4.
<bullet> In Section 2, removed instructions below item 5.
<bullet> In Section 3, changed section title to ``Information About
Your Self-
[[Page 58925]]
Employment Or Business Activity'' and item 7a to ``Enter the name and
address of your business or business activity.''
<bullet> In Section 3, item 7b, added ``Gig Work (ex. ride-share)
and ``Limited Liability Company (LLC)'' business or business activity
options.
<bullet> In Section 3, added item 7c ``Enter the name of the
government Agency where your business or business activity is
registered/incorporated.''
<bullet> In Section 3, item 8a, added ``Director/Board Member'',
``Farmer'' and ``Landlord'' to job title options.
<bullet> In Section 3, item 8c, added ``phone number(s)'' for
persons or organizations for whom you perform service.
<bullet> In Section 3, item 12, changed to ``Do you advertise your
services?''
<bullet> In Section 4, inserted ``did not'' in first sentence
between ``you'' and ``perform''.
<bullet> In Section 5, item 23, added ``Note: If you need to report
your earnings for any additional year(s), then provide the information
in Section 6.''
<bullet> In Section 5, item 27a, inserted ``agreement'' between
``written'' and ``in accordance''.
<bullet> In Section 5, item 28, changed to ``Do you risk personal
financial loss in your business or business activity?''
<bullet> In Section 7, item 31, changed certification to ``I
certify that all the information I gave the Railroad Retirement Board
(RRB) on this form is true to the best of my knowledge. I know that if
I have made a false or fraudulent statement on this form or withhold
information in order to receive benefits from the RRB, I am committing
a crime which is punishable under Federal law by fine or imprisonment
or both.''
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).......................................... 968 40 645
AA-4 (Without assistance)....................................... 51 70 60
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Total....................................................... 1,019 .............. 705
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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 (91 FR 44883 on July 17, 2026) 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: Revision 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 the following changes to Form G-
251:
<bullet> In Section 3, item 7, added ``including any self-
employment'' at the end of the first sentence, added ``NOTE 3: If you
are listing any self-employment or work for a business that you own,
then also complete form AA-4, Self-Employment and Substantial Service
Questionnaire.'' and added ``Name of Employer'' column.
<bullet> In Section 3, items 12, 16 and 20, added ``the
interactions you have with coworkers or the public'' and ``vision
requirements'' to the list of essential duties that may be described of
the position or occupation named in Item's 7a, 7b and 7c and made other
minor editorial changes to make questions simpler and clearer.
<bullet> In Section 3, items 14b, 18b and 22b, replaced
``Descriptive Comments'' with ``Description of Physical Activity'' in
the 2nd sentence and added ``Description of Physical Activity'' column.
<bullet> In Section 3, items 14b, 18b and 22b, added
``\3\Constantly (\2/3\ to \3/3\)'' in the Amount of Time column.
<bullet> In Section 3, items 14b(4), 18b(4) and 22b(4), replaced
``Crouching/Squatting/Stooping'' with ``Crouching/Squatting''.
<bullet> In Section 3, items 14b(5), 18b(5) and 22b(6), added
``Stooping'' and renumbered subsequent physical activity action
options.
<bullet> In Section 3, added ``\3\Constantly means occurring over
two-thirds (approx. 5 hours) of an 8-hour workday; cumulative, not
continuous.'' for footnotes related to the Amount of Time column for
items 14b, 18b and 22b.
<bullet> In Paperwork Reduction Act/Privacy Act Notices, changed
last sentence to ``If you wish, send comments regarding the accuracy of
our estimate, or any other aspect of this form, including suggestions
for reducing completion time, to: Railroad Retirement Board, ATTN:
Bureau of Information Services/Policy & Compliance, 844 N. Rush
Street., Chicago, IL 60611-1275.''
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-251 (with assistance)......................................... 2,561 40 1,707
G-251 (without assistance)...................................... 117 50 98
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[[Page 58926]]
Total....................................................... 2,678 .............. 1,805
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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 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 (91 FR 44884 on July 17, 2026) 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 the following changes to Forms
G-117a (Paper) and G-117a (internet):
Form G-117a (Paper):
<bullet> Changed the layout of the form to accommodate remove the
``Items/Contact Official and/or Descriptions'' section in the form
instructions and move each Contact Official section of the form as
applicable.
<bullet> Added ``(4) SUPPLEMENTAL ANNUITY'' Designation of Contact
Official.
<bullet> Added item ``(7) SECTION 2(f) BILL PAYMENT--RUIA''
Designation of Contact Official.
<bullet> Added ``(9) SECTION 12(o) BILL PAYMENT--RUIA'' Designation
of Contact Official.
<bullet> Removed ``(11) STREET ADDRESS''.
<bullet> Added ``(14) VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYER GROUP HEALTH PLAN''
Designation of Contact Official.
<bullet> Added ``(15) CERTIFICATION''.
<bullet> Renumbered items to account added Contact Officials, as
applicable.
<bullet> In Paperwork Reduction Act/Privacy Act Notices, changed
last sentence to ``If you wish, send comments regarding the accuracy of
our estimate, or any other aspect of this form, including suggestions
for reducing completion time, to: Railroad Retirement Board, ATTN:
Bureau of Information Services/Policy & Compliance, 844 N. Rush
Street., Chicago, IL 60611-1275.''
Form G-117a (internet):
<bullet> Updated the Manage Contact Officials screen to added new
contact official types to match Form G-117 (Paper).
<bullet> Updated the New Contact Official and Edit Contact Official
screens to add new contact official types in the Areas of
Responsibility section to match Form G-117 (Paper).
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Annual
Form No. responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-117A.......................................................... 20 15 5
G-117a (Internet)............................................... 75 5 6
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Total....................................................... 95 .............. 11
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Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and
supporting documents or comments regarding the information collection
should be addressed to Brian Foster, Railroad Retirement Board, 844
North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 or emailed to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#21635348404f0f674e52554453615353430f464e57"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f1d2d363e317119302c2b3a2d1f2d2d3d71383029">[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. 2026-19022 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P
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