The collection obtains the information
needed to pay death benefits and annuities due but unpaid at death
under the Railroad Retirement Act. Benefits are paid to designated
beneficiaries or to survivors in a priority designated by
law.
We have reduced the number of
responses for the AA 21cert from 5,400 to 4,500 (-900) and the
burden hours from 1,800 to 1,500 (-300). We have also reduced the
number of responses for the A-11a from 200 to 100 (-100) and the
total burden hours from 33 to 17 (-16). The Residual Lump Sum
benefit is being slowly phased out as the population that is
eligible to receive a benefit using these forms is diminishing. In
addition, we also have more accurate methods of tracking the number
of responses to some of our forms. We have reduced the total number
of responses from 11,500 to 10,500 (-1,000) and the total burden
hours from 2,916 to 2,600 (-316). We have shown the decrease in
responses and the corresponding decrease in burden hours as an
adjustment.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.