[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 69 (Monday, April 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19035-19036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8840]


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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.

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

DATES: The matching program will begin in March 2000, 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 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 March 1, 2000, unless comments are 
received which will result in a contrary determination. Subsequent 
matches will take place 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 William J. Washington, Acting Assistant 
Director for Systems, Finance and Administration, 1900 E. Street NW., 
Room 4312, Washington, DC 20415.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Flaster, (202) 606-2115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM and SSA intend to conduct a computer 
matching program. 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.
Janice R. Lachance,
Director.

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

A. Participating Agencies

    OPM and SSA.

[[Page 19036]]

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 two SSA records systems involved in the match are (1) Master 
Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications, 09-
60-0058 (SSA/OSR) last published on March 24, 1998 at 63 FR 14165 and 
(2) the Master Beneficiary Record, 09-60-0090 (SSA/OSR) last published 
January 6, 1995 at 60 FR 2144. The OPM records consist of annuity data 
from its system of records entitled OPM/Central 1-Civil Service 
Retirement and Insurance Records, last published on October 8, 1999 at 
64 FR 54930.

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 an 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 
during 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 inspection 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. 552(a)(o)(2)(D).

[FR Doc. 00-8840 Filed 4-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-P