Supporting Statement for
Requests for Social Security Earnings Information
Form SSA-7050-F4
20 CFR 404.810, 20 CFR 401.100
OMB No. 0960-0525
Justification
Introduction/Authoring Laws and Regulations - The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the Request for Social Security Earnings Information (Form SSA-7050-F4) for Social Security number (SSN) holders or their legal representative to request an Itemized Statement of Earnings (Form SSA-1826) for various non-program related reasons. Disclosure of earnings information is mandated under section 205(c)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (Act). Title 20 CFR 404.810 of the Code of Federal Regulations describes the information individuals must provide to obtain a statement of earnings and a benefit estimate statement. Title 20 CFR 401.100 describes the rules for disclosure of official records and information.
Description of Collection - SSA uses the information on Form SSA-7050 to produce the earnings statement requested, to verify the requester’s authorization to receive the earnings information, and to collect payment when the requester pays by credit card. In addition, SSA requires proof of death or relationship if the request is for earnings information from a deceased person’s record. Such proof must support that a legal relationship exists between the requester and the SSN holder (i.e., surviving spouse, legal representative) so that SSA can access and subsequently disclose the requested information. This is a voluntary information collection.
Use of Information Technology to Collect the Information - Improved information technology that would reduce the burden is not yet available. We require an original signature on Form SSA-7050, which prohibits respondents from completing and submitting it electronically. Further, the wage data we use to create the statement of earnings is data we receive and share with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); thus subject to IRS regulations regarding original signature requirements as well.
Why We Cannot Use Duplicate Information - The nature of the information we are collecting and the manner in which we are collecting it preclude duplication. SSA does not use another collection instrument to obtain similar data.
Minimizing Burden on Small Respondents - This collection of information may involve small businesses or other small entities. However, SSA requests only the information necessary by law and regulation to identify the information requested, authorize the signature, and process a credit card payment.
Consequence of Not Collecting Information or Collecting it Less Frequently - The requester generates the data requests. Most of the requests occur only once. Therefore, we cannot collect this information less frequently. If we did not collect this information, we would be denying the requester’s right to obtain such information, thus violating the above mandate. There are no technical or legal obstacles that prevent burden reduction.
Special Circumstances - There are no special circumstances that would cause SSA to conduct this information collection in a manner inconsistent with 5 CFR 1320.5.
Solicitation of Public Comment and Other Consultations with the Public - SSA published the 60-day advance Federal Register Notice on December 22, 2010 at 75 FR 80563, and SSA received no public comments. We published the 30-day Notice on March 4, 2011 at 76 FR 12208. If we receive any comments on the second Notice, we will forward them to OMB. We did not consult with members of the public.
Payment or Gifts to Respondents - SSA provides no payment or gifts to the respondents.
Assurances of Confidentiality – SSA protects and holds confidential the information it collects in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1306, 20 CFR 401 and 422, 5 U.S.C. 552 (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. 552a (Privacy Act of 1974) and OMB Circular No. A‑130
Justification for Sensitive Questions - This information collection does not involve any questions of a sensitive nature.
Estimates of Public Reporting Burden – Approximately 60,400 respondents use form SSA-7050-F4 annually. The estimated time of completion is 11 minutes, for a total of 11,073 burden hours. The total burden reflects burden hours.
Annual Cost to the Respondents (Other) - Participating requesters must compensate SSA for non program-related work so the Social Security Trust Funds do not bear the costs of such activities. Page 2 of the form provides the requester with a cost explanation and fee charge per request. The estimated average cost per respondent is $50. ($3,009,617 per year total).
Annual Cost to Federal Government - The annual cost to the Federal Government is $228,312. This estimate is a projection of the costs for printing and distributing the form, and collecting the information.
Program Changes or Adjustments to the Information Collection Request - We have adjusted the annual reporting burden because of an increased number of individuals requesting earnings information.
Plans for Publication Information Collection Results – SSA will not publish the results of the information collection.
Displaying the OMB Approval Expiration Date - OMB granted SSA an exemption from the requirement to print the OMB expiration date on its program forms. SSA produces millions of public-use forms with life cycles exceeding those of an OMB approval. Since SSA does not periodically revise and reprint its public-use forms (e.g., on an annual basis), OMB granted this exemption so SSA would not have to destroy stocks of otherwise useable forms with expired OMB approval dates, avoiding Government waste.
Exceptions to Certification Statement - SSA is not requesting an exception to the certification requirement at 5 CFR 1320.9 and related provision at 5 CFR 1320.8 (b) (3).
Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
SSA does not use statistical methods for this information collection.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR FORM SSA-7050 |
| Author | MHIGH |
| Last Modified By | 889123 |
| File Modified | 2011-03-08 |
| File Created | 2010-12-22 |