[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 58455-58456] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-28420] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration is soliciting comments concerning the information collection requests (ICR) incorporated in regulation pertaining to the required content of Summary Plan Descriptions under ERISA, 29 CFR 2520.102-3. A copy of the ICR may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the addressee section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office shown in the addressee section below on or before December 28, 1999. ADDRESSES: Gerald B. Lindrew, Office of Policy and Research, U.S. Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5647, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-4782; Fax: (202) 219-4745. These are not toll-free numbers. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 104(b)(1) of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires that the administrator of an employee benefit plan furnish plan participants and beneficiaries with Summary Plan Description (SPDs) which describe, in language understandable to an average plan participants, the benefits, rights and obligations of the participants in the plan. Plan administrators are required to furnish SPDs to participants and beneficiaries within 90 days after the participant is covered by the plan. The information required to be contained in the SPD is set forth in section 102(b) of the statute. To the extent that there is a material modification in the terms of the plan or a change in the information required to be contained in the SPD, section 104(b)(1) requires that the administrator furnish participants and beneficiaries with a summary of such change within 210 days following the end of the plan year in which the change was adopted. Regulations published at 29 CFR 2520.102-3 provide guidance on the required contents of the SPD. Review Focus The Department is particularly interested in comments that:Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Current Actions: The Department is not proposing or implementing changes to the existing ICR at this time. Comments received in response to this notice will be incorporated in the submission to OMB for continued clearance of the ICR. Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collections of information. Agency: Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration. Titles: Summary Plan Description Requirements under ERISA (SMM/ SPD). OMB Number: 1210-0039. Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for- profit; not-for-profit institutions. Respondents: 2,027,293. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Responses: 160,703,000. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,928,889. Total Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance): $216,316,365. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the information collection [[Page 58456]] request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: October 26, 1999. Gerald B. Lindrew, Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Research, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration. [FR Doc. 99-28420 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-26-M