Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: king.darrin@dol.gov.

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, 202-395-7316 (this is not a toll-free number), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:

• 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;
• 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;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• 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.

Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.

Title: Disclosures by Insurers to General Account Policyholders.

OMB Number: 1210-0114.

Frequency: Annually.

Type of Response: Third party disclosure.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households; and Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 104.

Number of Annual Responses: 112,500.

Estimated Time Per Response: 3.75 hours per policy for preparing the annual disclosure and 2 hours per policy for distribution.

Total Burden Hours: 478,125.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.

Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $22,000.00.

Description: Section 1460 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-188) adding a new section 401(c) to ERISA to establish requirements for “Transition Policies” issued before December 31, 1998, to employee benefit plans, under which plan assets are held in the insurer's general account. The regulation requires financial information to be provided to the plan policyholder when the policy is first issued, annually, and upon request.