Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection: OPM Forms 1496 and 1496A

AGENCY:

Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. OPM Forms 1496 and 1496A, Application for Deferred Retirement (Separations before October 1, 1956) and Application for Deferred Retirement (Separations on or after October 1, 1956) are used by eligible former Federal employees to apply for a deferred Civil Service annuity. Two forms are needed because there is a major revision in the law effective October 1, 1956; this affects the general information provided with the forms.

Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Approximately 3,000 OPM Forms 1496 and 1496A will be completed annually. We estimate it takes approximately 1 hour to complete both forms. The annual burden is 3,000 hours.

For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

DATES:

Comments on this proposal should be received within 60 calendar days from the date of this publication.

ADDRESSES:

Send or deliver comments to—Ronald W. Melton, Chief, Operations Support Group, Center for Retirement and Insurance Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Room 3349A, Washington, DC 20415-3540.

For Information Regarding Administrative Coordination Contact: Cyrus S. Benson, Team Leader, Publications Team, RIS Support Services/Support Group, (202) 606-0623.