Privacy Act of 1974: Computer Matching ProgramsOPM/Social Security Administration

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Privacy Act of 1974: Computer Matching Programs--OPM/Social

Security Administration

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Publication of notice of computer matching to comply with

Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of

1988.

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SUMMARY: OPM is publishing notice of its computer matching program with

the Social Security Administration (SSA) to meet the reporting and

publication requirements of Pub. L. 100-503. The purpose of this match

is for SSA to disclose benefit information to OPM to offset specific

benefits.

[[Page 60128]]

DATES: The matching program will begin in December, 1996, or 40 days

after agreements by the parties participating in the match have been

submitted to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget,

whichever is later. Any public comment on this matching program must be

submitted within the 30 day public notice period, which begins on the

publication date of this notice. The matching program will continue for

18 months from the beginning date and may be extended an additional 12

months thereafter. The data exchange will begin at a date mutually

agreeable between OPM and SSA after December 1, 1996, unless comments

are received which will result in a contrary determination. Subsequent

matches will take place annually on a recurring basis until one of the

parties advises the other, in writing, of its intention to reevaluate,

modify and/or terminate the agreement.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Kathleen M. McGettigan, Assistant Director,

Financial Control and Management; Office of Personnel Management; 1900

E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415; or deliver to OPM, Room 4312, 1900 E

Street NW, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marc Flaster, (202) 606-0640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM and SSA intend to conduct a computer

matching program, as described below. The purpose of this agreement is

to establish the conditions under which SSA agrees to the disclosure of

benefit information to OPM. The SSA records will be used in a matching

program with OPM's records on surviving spouses who may be eligible to

receive a Supplementary Annuity, disability retirees, and child

survivor annuitants, under the Federal Employees' Retirement System

(FERS). The benefits payable to these recipients are offset if paid

while also in receipt of SSA benefits. OPM will use the SSA data to

verify the earnings information provided directly to OPM by the

recipients.

Office of Personnel Management

James B. King,

Director.

Report of Computer Matching Program Between the Office of Personnel

Management and Social Security Administration

A. Participating Agencies

OPM and SSA.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

Chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), requires OPM to

offset specific benefits by a percentage of benefits payable under

Title II of the Social Security Act. The matching will enable OPM to

compute benefits at the correct rate and determine eligibility for

benefits.

C. Authority for Conducting the Match Program

Chapter 84, title 5, United States Code.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match

The SSA records involved in the match are SSA benefit status and

amount and identifying information in order to match records (Master

Files of Social Security Number Holders, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0058 and

Master Beneficiary Record, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0090, last published at

69 FR 2144, January 6, 1995). The OPM records consist of annuity data

from its system of records entitled OPM/Central 1--Civil Service

Retirement and Insurance Records, last published in the Federal

Register at 60 FR 63075, December 8, 1995.

E. Description of Matching Program

As frequently as daily, OPM will provide SSA with an extract from

the annuity master file and from pending claims snapshot records via

the File Transfer Management System (FTMS). The extracted file will

contain identifying information concerning the disability annuitant,

child survivor, or surviving spouse who may be eligible for a

Supplemental annuity under FERS. Each record will be matched to SSA's

records and requested information transmitted back to OPM.

F. Privacy Safeguards and Security

The personal privacy of the individuals whose names are included in

the files transmitted are protected by strict adherence to the

provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB's ``Guidance Interpreting

the Provisions of Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy

Protection Act of 1988''. Access to the records used in the data

exchange is restricted to only those authorized employees and officials

who need it to perform their official duties. Records matched or

created will be stored in an area that is physically safe. Records used

in this exchange and any records created by this exchange will be

processed under the immediate supervision and control of authorized

personnel in a manner which will protect the confidentiality of the

records. The records matched and records created by the match will be

transported under appropriate safeguards. Both SSA and OPM have the

right to make onsite inspections or make other provisions to ensure

that adequate safeguards are being maintained by the other agency.

G. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

This computer matching program is subject to review by the Office

of Management and Budget and the Congress. OPM's report to these

parties must be received at least 40 days prior to the initiation of

any matching activity. If no objections are raised by either, and the

mandatory 30-day public notice period for comments has expired for this

Federal Register notice with no significant adverse public comments in

receipt resulting in a contrary determination, then this computer

matching program becomes effective on the date specified above. By

agreement between OPM and SSA, the matching program will be in effect

and continue for 18 months with an option to renew for 12 additional

months under the terms set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D).

[FR Doc. 96-30184 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]

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