Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Form SSA-581 Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration	Form and Instruction	Modified	Available
Form SSA-581 Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration	Form and Instruction	Modified	Repair queued
Addendum - 0602.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2020-07-24	Available
Addendum - 0602.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2020-07-24	Repair queued
Supporting Statement - 0602 (clean copy).docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2023-05-03	Available
Supporting Statement - 0602.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2020-07-28	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
9588	Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration	Form and Instruction	Modified	Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration
9588	Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration	Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0960-0602	ICR Reference No: 202003-0960-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201701-0960-010
Agency/Subagency: SSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 05/18/2023
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 07/28/2020
Terms of Clearance: The agency now allows for electronic signature on this form. It updated its supporting statement to provide greater clarity regarding the operation of this information collection. Prior to renewal, the agency will incorporate into this OMB Control Number any additional information collection activities that are described in GN 03305.035, specifically those related to how a requestor would initiate the process of establishing an MOU. If the agency concludes that nothing described in this POMS implicates the PRA, it will consult with OMB prior to publishing the 60 day Federal Register Notice.

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2026	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2023
Responses	24,000	0	24,000
Time Burden (Hours)	4,000	0	800
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: SSA uses the information provided on Form SSA-581 to: (1) identify the wage earner; (2) establish the period of earnings information requested; (3) verify the wage earner authorized SSA to release this information to the requesting party; and (4) produce the Itemized Statement of Earnings (SSA-7050 (0960-0525)). Generally, the SSA-581 is a one-time request; however, some organizations use the form annually to maintain private pension programs, while others use the form in litigation matters. The respondents are private businesses and other Federal agencies.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 405 Name of Law: Social Security Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 19563	04/07/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 37996	06/24/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration	SSA-581	Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	24,000	24,000	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,000	800	0	0	3,200	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: When we last cleared this information collection in 2020, the burden was 800 hours. However, we are currently reporting a burden of 4,000 hours. This change stems from an increase in the completion time from 2 minutes to 10 minutes. We are updating the estimated burden per response to better show the time it takes for respondents to learn about the program; receive the form for completion; read and understand the instructions; gather the data and documents needed; answer the questions and complete the information collection instrument; consult with any third parties (as needed); and submit the information to SSA.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $26,384

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 07/28/2020

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