[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69693-69694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33417]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Data Collection Available for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for 
public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad 
Retirement Board will publish periodic summaries of proposed data 
collections.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information 
collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection 
of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Title and Purpose of information collection: Railroad Separation 
Allowance or Severance Pay Report Section 6 of the Railroad Retirement 
Act provides for a lump-sum payment to an employee or the employee's 
survivors equal to the Tier II taxes paid by the employee on a 
separation allowance or severance payment for which the employee did 
not receive credits toward retirement. The lump-sum is not payable 
until retirement benefits begin to accrue or the employee dies. Also, 
Section 4 (a-1)(iii) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act 
provides that a railroad employee who is paid a separation allowance is 
disqualified for unemployment and sickness benefits for the period of 
time the employee would have to work to earn the amount of the 
allowance. In order to calculate and provide payments, the Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) must collect and maintain records of separation 
allowances and severance payments which were subject to Tier II 
taxation from railroad employers. The RRB uses Form BA-9 to obtain, on 
a quarterly basis, the information needed from railroad employers 
concerning the separation allowances and severance payments made to 
railroad employees

[[Page 69694]]

and/or the survivors of railroad employees. All reports contain a one-
line entry for each such payment or adjustment. The RRB proposes no 
changes to Form BA-9.

Estimate of Annual Respondent Burden

    The estimated annual respondent burden is as follows:

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                                                                    Annual
                           Form No.                               responses        Time (min)      Burden (hrs)
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BA-9.........................................................           1,072               75            1,340
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    Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or 
to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, 
and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at 
(312) 751-3363. Comments regarding the information collection should be 
addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 N. Rush 
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be 
received within 60 days of this notice.
Chuck Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-33417 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-M