[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8422-8423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3100]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB))--Match Number 1308

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of a new computer matching program.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces a new computer matching program that SSA 
will conduct with RRB.

DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House of 
Representatives and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The matching program will be 
effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either 
telefax to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for 
Income Security Programs, 245 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments received will be 
available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for Income 
Security Programs as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public 
Law (Pub. L.) 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by 
describing the conditions under which computer matching involving the 
Federal government could be performed and adding certain protections 
for individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 
7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals.
    The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching 
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched 
with other Federal, State or local government records.
    It requires Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs 
to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the approval of the matching agreement by the Data 
Integrity Boards (DIB) of the participating Federal agencies;
    (3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal 
Register;
    (4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress 
and OMB;
    (5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are 
subject to matching; and
    (6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating 
or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA's computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

    Dated: January 25, 2005.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration 
(SSA) With the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and RRB.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to establish the 
conditions, terms and safeguards under which RRB agrees to the 
disclosure of RRB annuity payment data to SSA. This disclosure will 
provide SSA with information necessary to verify an individual's self-
certification of eligibility for prescription drug subsidy assistance 
under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act 
of 2003 (MMA). The disclosure will also enable SSA to implement a 
Medicare outreach program mandated by section 1144 of title XI of the 
Social Security Act . Information disclosed by RRB will enable SSA to 
identify individuals to determine their eligibility for Medicare 
Savings Programs (MSP), Medicare transitional assistance prescription 
drug

[[Page 8423]]

cards and subsidized Medicare prescription drug coverage and enable 
SSA, in turn, to identify these individuals to the States.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    The legal authority for SSA to conduct this matching activity is 
contained in section 1860D-14 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114) and section 1144 
(42 U.S.C. 1320b-14) of the Act.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching 
Program

1. Specified Data Elements Used in the Match
    a. RRB will electronically furnish SSA with the following RRB 
annuitant data: name, Social Security Number, date of birth, RRB claim 
number, and annuity payment.
    b. SSA will match this file against the Medicare database.
2. Systems of Records
    RRB will provide SSA with electronic files containing RRB annuity 
payment data from its systems of records, RRB-22 Railroad Retirement 
Survivors and Pension Benefits Systems (CHICO). RRB will also provide 
SSA with electronic files of all qualified Railroad beneficiaries from 
its system of records, RRB-20 (PSRRB). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3), 
RRB has established routine uses to disclose the subject information.
    SSA will match the RRB information with the electronic data from 
the following system of records: 60-0321 which is currently being 
developed to support the Medicare Part D subsidy computer matches

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

    The matching program will become effective upon signing of the 
agreement by all parties to the agreement and approval of the agreement 
by the Data Integrity Boards of the respective agencies, but no sooner 
than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress 
and the Office of Management and Budget, or 30 days after publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The 
matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date 
and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if certain 
conditions are met.

[FR Doc. 05-3100 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P