[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7227-7229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02558]
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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
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 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: Placement Service;
OMB 3220-0057.
Section 12(i) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA),
authorizes the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to establish, maintain,
and operate free employment offices to provide claimants for
unemployment benefits with job placement opportunities. Section 704(d)
of the Regional Railroad Reorganization Act of 1973, as amended, and as
extended by the consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
required the RRB to maintain and distribute a list of railroad job
vacancies, by class and craft, based on information furnished by rail
carriers to the RRB. Although the requirement under the law expired
effective August 13, 1987, the RRB has continued to obtain this
information in keeping with its employment service responsibilities
under Section 12(k) of the RUIA. Application procedures for the job
placement program are prescribed in 20 CFR part 325. The procedures
pertaining to the RRB's obtaining and distributing job vacancy reports
furnished by rail carriers are described in 20 CFR 346.1.
The RRB currently utilizes four forms to obtain information needed
to carry out its job placement responsibilities. Form ES-2,
Supplemental Information for Central Register, is used by the RRB to
obtain information needed to update a computerized central register of
separated and furloughed railroad employees available for employment in
the railroad industry. Form ES-21, Referral to State Employment
Service, and ES-21c, Report of State Employment Service Office, are
used by the RRB to provide placement assistance for unemployed railroad
employees through arrangements with State Employment Service offices.
Form UI-35, Field Office Record of Claimant Interview, is used
primarily by RRB field office staff to conduct in-person interviews of
claimants for unemployment benefits. Completion of these forms is
required to obtain or maintain a benefit. In addition, the RRB also
collects Railroad Job Vacancies information received voluntarily from
railroad employers.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (78 FR 66786 on November 6, 2013) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Placement Service.
OMB Control Number: 3220-0057.
Form(s) submitted: ES-2, ES-21, ES-21c, UI-35 and Job Vacancies
Report.
Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Affected public: Private Sector; Businesses or other for-profits.
Abstract: Under the RUIA, the Railroad Retirement Board provides
job placement assistance for unemployed railroad workers. The
collection obtains information from job applicants, railroad employers,
and State Employment Service offices for use in placement, for
providing referrals for job openings, reports of referral results and
for verifying and monitoring claimant eligibility.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no revisions to the forms in the
collection.
The Burden Estimate for the ICR is as Follows:
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Form No. Annual responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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ES-2................................................... 7,500 0.25 31
ES-21.................................................. 3,500 0.68 40
ES-21c................................................. 1,250 1.50 31
UI-35 (in-person)...................................... 9,000 7.00 1,050
UI-35 (by mail)........................................ 1,000 10.50 175
Railroad Job Vacancies Report.......................... 750 10.00 125
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TOTAL.............................................. 23,000 ................. 1,452
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2. Title and Purpose of information collection: Withholding
Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments; OMB 3220-
0149.
The Internal Revenue Code requires that all payers of tax liable
private pensions to U.S. citizens or residents: (1) Notify each
recipient at least concurrent with initial withholding that the payer
is, in fact, withholding benefits for tax liability and that the
recipient has the option of electing not to have the payer withhold, or
to withhold at a specific rate; (2) withhold benefits for tax purposes
(in the absence of the recipient's election not to withhold benefits);
and (3) notify all beneficiaries, at least annually, that they have the
option to change their withholding status or elect not to have benefits
withheld.
The RRB provides Form RRB-W4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad
Retirement Payments, to its annuitants to exercise their withholding
options. Completion of the form 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 (78 FR 66787 on November 6, 2013) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly
Annuity Payments.
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OMB Control Number: 3220-0149.
Form(s) submitted: RRB W-4P.
Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Affected public: Individuals or Households.
Abstract: Under Public Law 98-76, railroad retirement
beneficiaries' Tier II, dual vested and supplemental benefits are
subject to income tax under private pension rules. Under Public Law 99-
514, the non-social security equivalent benefit portion of Tier I is
also taxable under private pension rules. The collection obtains the
information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the
income tax withholding provisions.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form RRB W-4P.
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
Estimated annual number of respondents: 25,000.
Total annual responses: 25,000.
Total annual reporting hours: 1.
3. Title and Purpose of information collection: Investigation of
Claim for Possible Days of Employment; OMB 3220-0196.
Under Section 1(k) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act
(RUIA), unemployment and sickness benefits are not payable for any day
remuneration is payable or accrues to the claimant. Also Section 4(a-1)
of the RUIA provides that unemployment or sickness benefits are not
payable for any day the claimant receives the same benefits under any
law other than the RUIA. Under the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
regulation 20 CFR 322.4(a), a claimant's certification or statement on
an RRB-provided claim form that he or she did not work on any day
claimed and did not receive income such as vacation pay or pay for time
lost for any day claimed is sufficient evidence unless there is
conflicting evidence. Further, under 20 CFR 322.4(b), when there is a
question raised as to whether or not remuneration is payable or has
accrued to a claimant with respect to a claimed day or days,
investigation shall be made with a view to obtaining information
sufficient for a finding.
Form ID-5S (SUP), Report of Cases for Which All Days Were Claimed
During a Month Credited Per an Adjustment Report, collects information
about compensation credited to an employee during a period when the
employee claimed either unemployment or sickness benefits from a
railroad employer. The request is generated as a result of a computer
match that compares data which is maintained in the RRB's RUIA Benefit
Payment file with data maintained in the RRB's records of service. The
ID-5S (SUP) is generated annually when the computer match indicates
that an employee of the railroad employer was paid unemployment or
sickness benefits for every day in one or more months for which
creditable compensation was adjusted at the request of their railroad
employer on RRB Form BA-4 (OMB Approved 3220-0008).
The computer-generated Form ID-5S (SUP) includes pertinent
identifying information, the BA-4 adjustment process date, and the
claimed months in question. Space is provided on the report for the
employer's use in supplying the information requested in the computer-
generated transmittal letter, Form ID-5S, Railroad Compensation
Adjustment Discrepancy Report, which accompanies the report. Completion
is voluntary. One response is requested of each respondent.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (78 FR 66787 on November 6, 2013) required by 44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
Information Collection Request (ICR)
Title: Investigation of Claim for Possible Days of Employment.
OMB Control Number: 3220-0196.
Form(s) submitted: ID-5S (SUP).
Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Affected public: Private Sector; Businesses or other for profits
Abstract: Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act,
unemployment or sickness benefits are not payable for any day in which
remuneration is payable or accrues to the claimant. The collection
obtains information about compensation credited to an employee during a
period when the employee claimed unemployment or sickness benefits from
their railroad employer.
Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no revisions to Form ID-5S
(SUP).
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Form number Annual responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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ID-5S (SUP)......................................... 55 10 9
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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. Completion is voluntary. One response is requested from each
respondent.
Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the
initial 60-day notice (78 FR 66787 on November 6, 2013) 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.
Type of request: Extension without change 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 no revisions to Form G-117A.
The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
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Form number Annual responses Time (minutes) Burden (hours)
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G-117A.............................................. 100 15 25
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Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and
supporting documents can be obtained from Dana Hickman at (312) 751-
4981 or [email protected].
Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed
to Charles Mierzwa, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street,
Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2092 or [email protected] and to the OMB
Desk Officer for the RRB, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected].
Charles Mierzwa,
Chief of Information Resources Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-02558 Filed 2-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P