Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

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###### Railroad Retirement Board

# 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                               ( print 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                         *Charles.Mierzwa@rrb.gov*.                    

                        Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Patricia A. Henaghan, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2092 or                         *Patricia.Henaghan@rrb.gov*                         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