[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72847-72848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29759]


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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 
three (3) Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Our ICR(s) describe 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 collections of information 
to determine (1) the practical utility of the collections; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (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.
    1. Title and purpose of information collection: 3220-0057, 
Placement Service. The RRB currently utilizes four forms to obtain 
information needed to carry out its job placement responsibilities. 
Form ES-2, Supplemental Information for Central Register, is used by 
the RRB to obtain information needed to update a computerized central 
register of separated and furloughed railroad employees available for 
employment in the railroad industry. Form ES-21, Referral to State 
Employment Service, and ES-21c, Report of State Employment Service 
Office, are used by the RRB to provide placement assistance for 
unemployed railroad employees through arrangements with State 
Employment Service offices. Form UI-35, Field Office Record of Claimant 
Interview, is used primarily by RRB field office staff to conduct in-
person interviews of claimants for unemployment benefits. Completion of 
these forms is required to obtain or maintain a benefit. In addition, 
the RRB also collects Railroad Job Vacancies information received 
voluntarily from railroad employers.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (75 FR 58450 on September 24, 2010) required by 
44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Placement Service.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0057.
    Form(s) submitted: ES-2, ES-21, ES-21c, UI-35, and Job Vacancies 
Reports.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or households, Business or-other-for 
profit, State, Local and Tribal government.
    Abstract: Under the RUIA, the Railroad Retirement Board provides 
job placement assistance for unemployed railroad workers. The 
collection obtains information from job applicants, railroad employers 
and State Employment Service offices for use in placement, for 
providing referrals for job openings, reports of referral results and 
for verifying and monitoring claimant eligibility.
    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to any of the forms 
or reports.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
    Estimated Completion Time for Form ES-2: .25 minutes.
    Estimated Completion Time for Form ES-21: .68 minutes.
    Estimated Completion Time for Form ES-21c: 1.5 minutes.
    Estimated Completion Time for Form UI-35 (in person): 7 minutes.
    Estimated Completion Time for Form UI-35 (by mail): 10.5 minutes.
    Estimated Completion Time for Job Vacancies Report: 10 minutes.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 10,750.
    Total annual responses: 23,000.
    Total annual reporting hours: 1,452.
    2. Title and Purpose of Information Collection: 3220-0079, 
Certification Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits Under Section 4 
of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), an employee who 
leaves work voluntarily is disqualified for unemployment benefits 
unless the employee left work for good cause and

[[Page 72848]]

is not qualified for unemployment benefits under any other law. RRB 
Form UI-45, Claimant's Statement--Voluntary Leaving of Work, is used by 
the RRB to obtain the claimant's statement when it is indicated by the 
claimant, the claimant's employer, or another source that the claimant 
has voluntarily left work. Completion of Form UI-45 is required to 
obtain or retain benefits. One response is received from each 
respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (75 FR 36451 on June 25, 2010) required by 44 
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Certification Regarding Rights to Unemployment Benefits.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0079.
    Form(s) submitted: UI-45.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or households, Business or-other-for 
profit.
    Abstract: In administering the disqualification for the voluntary 
leaving of work provision of Section 4 of the Railroad Unemployment 
Insurance Act, the Railroad Retirement Board investigates an 
unemployment claim that indicates that the claimant left voluntarily. 
The certification obtains information needed to determine if the 
leaving was for good cause.
    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form UI-45.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
    Estimated Completion Time for Form UI-45: 5-15 minutes.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,950.
    Total annual responses: 2,900.
    Total annual reporting hours: 487.
    3. Title and Purpose of Information Collection 3220-0149, 
Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly Annuity 
Payments.
    The Internal Revenue Code requires all payers of tax liable private 
pensions to U.S. citizens to: (1) Notify each recipient at least 
concurrent with initial withholding that the payer is, in fact, 
withholding benefits for tax liability and that the recipient has the 
option of electing not to have the payer withhold, or to withhold at a 
specific rate; (2) withhold benefits for tax purposes (in the absence 
of the recipient's election not to withhold benefits); and (3) notify 
all beneficiaries, at least annually, that they have the option of 
changing their withholding status or elect not to have benefits 
withheld.
    The Railroad Retirement Board provides Form RRB-W4P, Withholding 
Certificate for Railroad Retirement Payments, to its annuitants to 
exercise their withholding options. Completion of the form is required 
to obtain or retain a benefit. One response is requested of each 
respondent.
    The RRB estimates that 25,000 annuitants utilize Form RRB W-4P 
annually. The completion time for Form RRB W-4P varies depending on 
individual circumstances. The estimated average(s) for Form RRB W-4P is 
39 minutes for recordkeeping, 24 minutes for learning about the law or 
the form, and 59 minutes for preparing the form.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (75 FR 58451 on September 24, 2010) required by 
44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Withholding Certificate for Railroad Retirement Monthly 
Annuity Payments.
    OMB Control Number: 3220-0149.
    Form(s) submitted: RRB-W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Railroad 
Retirement Monthly Annuity Payments.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected public: Individuals or households.
    Abstract: Under Public Law 98-76, railroad retirement 
beneficiaries' Tier II, dual vested and supplemental benefits are 
subject to income tax under private pension rules. Under Public Law 99-
514, the non-social security equivalent benefit portion of Tier 1 is 
also taxable under private pension rules. The collection obtains the 
information needed by the Railroad Retirement Board to implement the 
income tax withholding provisions.
    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to Form RRB-W-4P.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 25,000.
    Total annual responses: 25,000.
    Total annual reporting hours: 1.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 Patricia A. Henaghan, 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. 2010-29759 Filed 11-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P