Proposed Data Collection Available for Public Comment and Recommendations

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Proposed Data Collection Available for Public Comment and

Recommendations

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for

public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad

Retirement Board will publish periodic summaries of proposed data

collections.

Comments are invited: (a) Whether the proposed information

collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;

(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection

of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize

the burden related to the collection of information on respondents,

including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

Title and purpose of information collection: Certification of

Relinquishment of Rights: OMB 3220-0016. Under Section 2(e)(2) of the

Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), an age and service annuity, spouse

annuity, or divorced spouse annuity cannot be paid unless the Railroad

Retirement Board (RRB) has evidence that the applicant has ceased

railroad employment and relinquished rights to return to the service of

a railroad employer. Under Section 2(f)(6) of the RRA, earnings

deductions are required each month an annuitant works in certain non-

railroad employment termed Last Pre-Retirement Non-Railroad Employment.

Normally, the employee or spouse relinquishes rights and certifies

that employment has ended as part of the annuity process. however, this

is not always the case. In limited circumstances, the RRB utilizes Form

G-88, Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of

Rights, to obtain an applicant's report of termination of employment

and relinquishment of rights. One response is required of each

respondent. Responses are required to obtain or retain benefits. No

changes are proposed to Form G-88.

Estimate of Annual Respondent Burden

The estimated annual respondent burden is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annual Burden

Form #(s) Responses Time (Min) (Hrs)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

G-88.......................... 3,600 6 360

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2528]]

Additional information or comments: To request more information or

to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms,

and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at

(312) 751-3363. Comments regarding the information collection should be

addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North

Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be

received within 60 days of this notice.

Chuck Mierzwa,

Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-871 Filed 1-13-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7905-01-M