[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53402-53403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21875]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quarterly 
Survey of Public Pensions

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before October 25, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Erika Becker-Medina, Chief, Employment and 
Benefit Statistics Branch, Governments Division, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Headquarters: 6K141, Washington, DC 20233; telephone: 301-763-1494; 
facsimile: 301-763-6833; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request an extension for the Quarterly 
Survey of Public Pensions (formerly known as the Finances of Selected 
Public Employee Retirement Systems). The quarterly survey was initiated 
by the Census Bureau in 1968 at the request of both the Council of 
Economic Advisers and the Federal Reserve Board.
    The Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions provides national summary 
data on the revenues, expenditures, and

[[Page 53403]]

composition of assets of the largest pension systems of state and local 
governments. These data are used by the Federal Reserve Board to track 
the public sector portion of the Flow of Funds Accounts. The Bureau of 
Economic Analysis uses these data as part of the government sector 
projections in the Gross Domestic Product. Economists and public policy 
analysts use the data to assess general economic conditions and state 
and local government financial activities.
    Data are collected from a panel of defined benefit plans of the 100 
largest state and local government pension systems as determined by 
their total cash and security holdings reported in the 2007 Census of 
Governments. The defined benefit plans of these 100 largest pension 
systems comprise 89.4 percent of financial activity among such 
entities, based on the 2007 Census of Governments.
    After a census of governments has been taken, it is considered best 
practice to reselect the 100 largest state and local government pension 
systems. Starting with the first quarter of 2014, data will reflect the 
new universe of the 100 largest pension systems, based on the 2012 
Census of Governments. A bridge study will be published if there is any 
change to the universe.

II. Method of Collection

    Survey data will be collected via mail-out/mail-back questionnaire 
which is also available on the Internet. Respondents may choose to 
mail, fax, or report their data online. Most respondents choose to 
report their data online. Only six percent of respondents report data 
via mail or fax. In addition to reporting current quarter data, 
respondents may report data for the previous two quarters or submit 
revisions to their previously submitted data.
    Usable replies are received each quarter from 85 to 95 percent of 
the systems canvassed. Imputations are developed for each of the 
remaining systems in the panel from the latest available data.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0143.
    Form Number: F-10.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and locally-administered public pension 
plans.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $6,600.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 23, 2011.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-21875 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P