[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60127-60128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30184]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Privacy Act of 1974: Computer Matching Programs--OPM/Social 
Security Administration

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Publication of notice of computer matching to comply with 
Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 
1988.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: OPM is publishing notice of its computer matching program with 
the Social Security Administration (SSA) to meet the reporting and 
publication requirements of Pub. L. 100-503. The purpose of this match 
is for SSA to disclose benefit information to OPM to offset specific 
benefits.


[[Page 60128]]


DATES: The matching program will begin in December, 1996, or 40 days 
after agreements by the parties participating in the match have been 
submitted to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget, 
whichever is later. Any public comment on this matching program must be 
submitted within the 30 day public notice period, which begins on the 
publication date of this notice. The matching program will continue for 
18 months from the beginning date and may be extended an additional 12 
months thereafter. The data exchange will begin at a date mutually 
agreeable between OPM and SSA after December 1, 1996, unless comments 
are received which will result in a contrary determination. Subsequent 
matches will take place annually on a recurring basis until one of the 
parties advises the other, in writing, of its intention to reevaluate, 
modify and/or terminate the agreement.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Kathleen M. McGettigan, Assistant Director, 
Financial Control and Management; Office of Personnel Management; 1900 
E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415; or deliver to OPM, Room 4312, 1900 E 
Street NW, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marc Flaster, (202) 606-0640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM and SSA intend to conduct a computer 
matching program, as described below. The purpose of this agreement is 
to establish the conditions under which SSA agrees to the disclosure of 
benefit information to OPM. The SSA records will be used in a matching 
program with OPM's records on surviving spouses who may be eligible to 
receive a Supplementary Annuity, disability retirees, and child 
survivor annuitants, under the Federal Employees' Retirement System 
(FERS). The benefits payable to these recipients are offset if paid 
while also in receipt of SSA benefits. OPM will use the SSA data to 
verify the earnings information provided directly to OPM by the 
recipients.

Office of Personnel Management
James B. King,
Director.

Report of Computer Matching Program Between the Office of Personnel 
Management and Social Security Administration

A. Participating Agencies

    OPM and SSA.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    Chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), requires OPM to 
offset specific benefits by a percentage of benefits payable under 
Title II of the Social Security Act. The matching will enable OPM to 
compute benefits at the correct rate and determine eligibility for 
benefits.

C. Authority for Conducting the Match Program

    Chapter 84, title 5, United States Code.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match

    The SSA records involved in the match are SSA benefit status and 
amount and identifying information in order to match records (Master 
Files of Social Security Number Holders, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0058 and 
Master Beneficiary Record, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0090, last published at 
69 FR 2144, January 6, 1995). The OPM records consist of annuity data 
from its system of records entitled OPM/Central 1--Civil Service 
Retirement and Insurance Records, last published in the Federal 
Register at 60 FR 63075, December 8, 1995.

E. Description of Matching Program

    As frequently as daily, OPM will provide SSA with an extract from 
the annuity master file and from pending claims snapshot records via 
the File Transfer Management System (FTMS). The extracted file will 
contain identifying information concerning the disability annuitant, 
child survivor, or surviving spouse who may be eligible for a 
Supplemental annuity under FERS. Each record will be matched to SSA's 
records and requested information transmitted back to OPM.

F. Privacy Safeguards and Security

    The personal privacy of the individuals whose names are included in 
the files transmitted are protected by strict adherence to the 
provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB's ``Guidance Interpreting 
the Provisions of Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy 
Protection Act of 1988''. Access to the records used in the data 
exchange is restricted to only those authorized employees and officials 
who need it to perform their official duties. Records matched or 
created will be stored in an area that is physically safe. Records used 
in this exchange and any records created by this exchange will be 
processed under the immediate supervision and control of authorized 
personnel in a manner which will protect the confidentiality of the 
records. The records matched and records created by the match will be 
transported under appropriate safeguards. Both SSA and OPM have the 
right to make onsite inspections or make other provisions to ensure 
that adequate safeguards are being maintained by the other agency.

G. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

    This computer matching program is subject to review by the Office 
of Management and Budget and the Congress. OPM's report to these 
parties must be received at least 40 days prior to the initiation of 
any matching activity. If no objections are raised by either, and the 
mandatory 30-day public notice period for comments has expired for this 
Federal Register notice with no significant adverse public comments in 
receipt resulting in a contrary determination, then this computer 
matching program becomes effective on the date specified above. By 
agreement between OPM and SSA, the matching program will be in effect 
and continue for 18 months with an option to renew for 12 additional 
months under the terms set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D).

[FR Doc. 96-30184 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M