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.