[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 189 (Friday, September 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49702-49703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24321]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration


Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted 
for Public Comment and Recommendations

ACTION: Notice.

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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 other 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

[[Page 49703]]

program 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 extension without change of the 
information collection request (ICR) included in the suspension of 
pension benefits regulation issued pursuant to the authority of section 
203(a)(3)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA), which governs the circumstances under which pension plans may 
suspend pension benefit payments to retirees who return to work, or of 
participants who continue to work beyond normal retirement age (29 CFR 
2530.203-3). A copy of the ICR may be obtained by contacting the office 
listed in the Addresses section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before November 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments 
regarding the collection of information. Send comments to Mr. 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:

I. Background

    Section 203(a)(3)(B) of ERISA governs the circumstances under which 
pension plans may suspend pension benefit payments to retirees that 
return to work or to participants that continue to work beyond normal 
retirement age. Furthermore, section 203(a)(3)(B) of ERISA authorizes 
the Secretary to prescribe regulations necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this section.
    In this regard, the Department issued a regulation which describes 
the circumstances and conditions under which plans may suspend the 
pension benefits of retirees that return to work, or of participants 
that continue to work beyond normal retirement age (29 CFR 
Sec. 2530.203-3). In order for a plan to suspend benefits pursuant to 
the regulation, it must notify affected retirees or participants (by 
first class mail or personal delivery) during the first calendar month 
or payroll period in which the plan withholds payment, that benefits 
are suspended. This notice must include the specific reasons for such 
suspension, a general description of the plan provisions authorizing 
the suspension, a copy of the relevant plan provisions, and a statement 
indicating where the applicable regulations may be found, (i.e., 29 CFR 
Sec. 2530.203-3). In addition, the suspension notification must inform 
the retiree or participant of the plan's procedure for affording a 
review of the suspension of benefits.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Department of Labor 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;
     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.

III. Current Actions

    The Office of Management and Budget's approval of this ICR will 
expire on November 30, 2001. This notice requests comments on the 
extension of the ICR. The Department is not proposing or implementing 
changes to the existing ICR at this time in connection with this 
extension. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the 
information collection request; they will also become a matter of 
public record.
    Agency: Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefits 
Administration.
    Title: Suspension of Benefits Regulation pursuant to 29 CFR 
2530.203-3.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    OMB Number: 1210-0048.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Total Respondents: 74,872.
    Total Responses: 74,872.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Total Annual Burden: 18,718.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating and Maintenance): $63,000.

    Dated: September 25, 2001.
Gerald B. Lindrew,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Research, Pension and Welfare 
Benefits Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-24321 Filed 9-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P