[Federal Register: February 21, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 35)] [Notices] [Page 8057] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21fe97-121] [[Page 8057]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION Request for Comment on Proposed Collection of Information Under the Paperwork Reduction Act; Locating and Paying Participants AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Notice of intention to request OMB approval. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation intends to request that the Office of Management and Budget approve a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The purpose of the information collection is to enable the PBGC to pay benefits to participants and beneficiaries in plans covered by the PBGC insurance program. ADDRESSES: All written comments should be addressed to: Office of General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Suite 340, 1200 K St. NW., Washington, D. C. 20005. The comments will be available for public inspection at the PBGC Communications and Public Affairs Department, Suite 240, 1200 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. A copy of the proposed collection can be obtained, without charge, by writing to the PBGC the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc L. Jordan, Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, Suite 340, 1200 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005, 202-326-4026 (202-326-4179 for TTY and TDD). (These are not toll-free numbers.) A copy of the proposed collection can be obtained, without charge, by writing to the PBGC at the above address. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PBGC intends to request OMB approval of a collection of information needed to pay participants and beneficiaries who may be entitled to pension benefits under a defined benefit plan that has terminated. The collection consists of information participants and beneficiaries are asked to provide in connection with an application for benefits. In addition, in some instances, as part of a search for participants and beneficiaries who may be entitled to benefits, the PBGC requests individuals to provide identifying information that the individual would provide as part of an initial contact with the PBGC. All requested information is needed to enable the PBGC to determine benefit entitlements and to make appropriate payments. The PBGC estimates that it will request that 62,720 individuals submit applications for benefits and that the associated burden is 30,360 hours (an average of slightly less than 30 minutes per individual). The PBGC further estimates that 5,000 individuals will provide the PBGC with identifying information as part of an initial contact and that the associated burden is 1,250 hours (15 minutes per individual). Thus, the total estimated burden associated with this collection of information is 36,610 hours. The PBGC solicits comments to: (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Issued at Washington, D.C., this 18th day of February, 1997. Martin Slate, Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. [FR Doc. 97-4344 Filed 2-20-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7708-01-P