Certification of Elections for Reduced Spouse's Benefits

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form SSA-25 Certification of Elections for Reduced Spouse's Benefits Form	Modified
Addendum - 0398 (Final).docx Supplementary Document	2021-09-10
Supporting Statement - 0398 (Final).docx Supporting Statement A	2021-09-10

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
9256	Certification of Elections for Reduced Spouse's Benefits Form	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0960-0398	ICR Reference No: 202107-0960-008
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201804-0960-001
Agency/Subagency: SSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Certification of Elections for Reduced Spouse's Benefits
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/10/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2021
Responses	30,000	30,000
Time Burden (Hours)	6,500	1,000
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: Reduced benefits are to payable to an already entitled spouse, at least age 62 but under full retirement age, who no longer has a child in their care unless the spouse elects to receive reduced benefits. If spouses decide to elect reduced benefits, they complete Form SSA-25. SSA uses the information to pay qualified spouses who elect to receive reduced benefits. Respondents are entitled spouses seeking reduced benefits.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 402 (q)(5)(A) 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:
	86 FR 40221	07/27/2021
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 49403	09/02/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Certification of Elections for Reduced Spouse's Benefits	SSA-25	Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse’s Benefits

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	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	30,000	30,000	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	6,500	1,000	0	0	5,500	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 IC in 2018, the burden was 1,000 hours. However, we are currently reporting a burden of 6,500 hours. This change stems from an increase in the completion time from 2 minutes to 13 minutes, as we determined it takes longer to read and fill out the form. These figures represent current Management Information data.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $170,695

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: 09/10/2021

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