View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package
Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
Search:
Agenda
Reg Review
ICR
This script is used to control the display of information in this page.
Display additional information by clicking on the following:
All
Brief
Abstract/Justification
Legal Statutes
Rulemaking
FR Notices/Comments
IC List
Burden
Misc.
Common Form Info.
Certification
View Information Collection (IC) List
View Supporting Statement and Other Documents
View ICR - Agency Submission
COMMENT
Time Remaining
Days
HR
Min
Sec
OMB Control No:
0960-0398
ICR Reference No:
202607-0960-001
Status:
Received in OIRA
Previous ICR Reference No:
202107-0960-008
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:
07/31/2026
Requested
Previously Approved
Expiration Date
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2026
Responses
1,616
30,000
Time Burden (Hours)
2,044
6,500
Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
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.
Authorizing Statute(s):
US Code:
42 USC 402 (q)(5)(A)
Name of Law: Social Security Act
Citations for New Statutory Requirements:
None
Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:
Stage of Rulemaking:
Federal Register Citation:
Date:
Not associated with rulemaking
Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
91 FR 30774
05/26/2026
30-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
91 FR 48475
07/31/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR?
No
Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR:
2
IC Title
Form No.
Form Name
Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse's Benefits (Upload Documents)
SSA-25 (Upload Documents)
Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse’s Benefits
Certification of Elections for Reduced Spouse's Benefits
SSA-25
Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse’s Benefits
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
1,616
30,000
0
0
-28,384
0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
2,044
6,500
0
0
-4,456
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 cleared this ICR in 2023, the burden was 6,500 hours. However, we are currently reporting a burden of 350 hours. This change stems from a decrease in the number of responses from 30,000 to 1,616. We note that we previously did not retain MI data for this form, and based our previous burden data on an anticipated expectation that more respondents would request this annually; however, as we now have accurate MI data, we are reporting the actual (not anticipated) figures. There is no change to the burden time per response. Although the number of responses changed, SSA did not take any actions to cause this change. These figures represent current Management Information data. *Note: The total burden reflected in ROCIS is 2,044, while the burden cited in #12 of the Supporting Statement is 350. This discrepancy is because the ROCIS burden reflects the following components: field office waiting time + a rough estimate of a 30-minute, one-way, drive burden + learning costs. In contrast, the chart in #12 above reflects actual burden.
Annual Cost to Federal Government:
$15,582
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
Agency Contact:
Faye Lipsky 410 965-8783 faye.lipsky@ssa.gov
Common Form ICR:
No
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:
07/31/2026
Something went wrong when downloading this file. If you have any questions, please send an email to risc@gsa.gov.