[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 106 (Monday, June 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 30885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10708]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding 
an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to 
request an extension of the following collection of information: 3220-
0155, Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States.
    Under the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Pub. L. 98-21), which 
amended Section 202(t) of the Social Security Act, the Tier I or the O/
M (overall minimum) portion of an annuity and Medicare benefits payable 
under the Railroad Retirement Act to certain beneficiaries living 
outside the U.S., may be withheld effective January 1, 1985. The 
benefit withholding provision of Public Law 98-21 applies to divorced 
spouses, spouses, minor or disabled children, students, and survivors 
of railroad employees who (1) initially became eligible for Tier I 
amounts, O/M shares, and Medicare benefits after December 31, 1984; (2) 
are not U.S citizens or U.S. nationals; and (3) have resided outside 
the U.S for more than six consecutive months starting with the annuity 
beginning date. The benefit withholding provision does not apply, 
however to a beneficiary who is exempt under either a treaty obligation 
of the U.S., in effect on August 1, 1956, or a totalization agreement 
between the U.S. and the country in which the beneficiary resides, or 
to an individual who is exempt under other criteria specified in Public 
Law 98-21. RRB Form G-45, Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the 
United States, is currently used by the RRB to determine applicability 
of the withholding provision of Public Law 98-21. Our ICR describes the 
information we seek to collect from the public. Completion of Form G-45 
is required to obtain or retain benefits. One response is required of 
each respondent. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose 
appropriate paperwork burdens.
    The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information 
to determine (1) The practical utility of the collection; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject 
of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must 
contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of 
your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days 
of publication date.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (72 FR 13540 on March 22, 2007) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0155.
    Form(s) submitted: G-45.
    Type of request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or households.
    Abstract: Under Public Law 98-21, the Tier I or overall minimum 
portion of an annuity and Medicare benefits payable under the Railroad 
Retirement Act to certain beneficiaries living outside the United 
States may be withheld. The collection obtains the information needed 
by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the benefit withholding 
provisions of Public Law 98-21.
    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-45.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
     Estimated annual number of respondents: 100.
     Total annual responses: 100.
     Total annual reporting hours: 17.
     Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and 
supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency 
clearance officer (312-751-3363) or [email protected].
    Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed 
to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2092 or [email protected] and to the OMB 
Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 
10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-10708 Filed 6-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P