(a) Except with respect to taxpayer returns and return information subject to § 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary may:
(1) Secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable the Secretary to verify or confirm benefit determinations under this chapter; and
(2) By regulation authorize the Trustee to review such information for purposes of administering this chapter and the contract.
(b) Omitted.
(c) The Secretary may issue regulations governing the confidentiality of the information obtained pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the provisions of law amended by § 11024(b) of the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997.