[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 178 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53056-53057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21297]


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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 a currently approved collection of information: 
3220-0123, Student Beneficiary Monitoring. Our ICR describes the 
information we seek to collect from the public. 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.

Student Beneficiary Monitoring; OMB 3220-0123

    Under provisions of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), there are 
two types of benefits whose payment is based upon the status of a child 
being in full-time elementary or secondary school attendance at age 18-
19; a survivor child's annuity benefit under Section 2(d)(2)(iii) and 
an increase in the employee retirement annuity under the Special 
Guaranty computation as prescribed in section 3(f)(3).
    The survivor student annuity is usually paid by direct deposit at a 
financial institution to the student's checking or savings account or a 
joint bank account with the parent. The requirements for eligibility as 
a student are prescribed in 20 CFR 216.74, and include students in 
independent study or home schooling.
    The RRB requires evidence of full-time school attendance in order 
to determine that a child is entitled to student benefits. The RRB 
utilizes the following forms to conduct its student monitoring program. 
Form G-315, Student Questionnaire, obtains certification of a student's 
full-time school attendance. It also obtains information on a student's 
marital status, Social Security benefits, and employment which are 
needed to determine entitlement or continued entitlement to benefits 
under the RRA. Completion is required to obtain benefits. Form G-315a, 
Statement of School Official, is used to obtain verification from a 
school that a student attends school full-time and provides their 
expected graduation date. Completion is voluntary. However, failure to 
do so may result in nonpayment of RRB benefits to the student. Form G-
315a.1, School Officials Notice of Cessation of Full-Time Attendance, 
is used by a school to

[[Page 53057]]

notify the RRB that a student has ceased full-time school attendance. 
Completion is voluntary.
    The RRB proposes no changes to the forms. One response is completed 
by each respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (73 FR 22183 on April 24, 2008) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Student Beneficiary Monitoring.
    OMB Control Number: OMB 3220-0123.
    Form(s) submitted: G-315, G-315a, G-315a.1.
    Type of request: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Affected public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Non-profit institutions.
    Abstract: Under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), a student 
benefit is not payable if the student ceases full-time school 
attendance, marries, works in the railroad industry, has excessive 
earnings or attains the upper age limit under the RRA. The report 
obtains information to be used in determining if benefits should cease 
or be reduced.
    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to the forms in the 
collection.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
    Estimated Completion Time for Form(s): Form G-315 is estimated at 
15 minutes per response; Form G-315a is estimated at 3 minutes per 
response and Form G-315a.1 is estimated at 2 minutes per response.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 900.
    Total annual responses: 900.
    Total annual reporting hours: 217.
    Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the form and 
supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency 
clearance officer at (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. E8-21297 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P