How DFSMSrmm processes primary and secondary vital record specifications

You can define both a primary and secondary vital record specification to retain a data set. DFSMSrmm matches the data set to the vital record specification based on data set name, jobname, management class, vital record specification management value, the ABEND, DELETED, and OPEN reserved names, or the '**' data set name mask. DFSMSrmm matches the data set to the secondary vital record specification based on management class or vital record specification management value if the primary match is on data set name, but not '**'. If the data set is the subject of special ABEND, DELETED, or OPEN retention, then the secondary vital record specification will also be the subject of the special ABEND, DELETED or OPEN retention, respectively.

DFSMSrmm uses this criteria to retain the data set:

Retained by the primary data set name vital record specification
Location is taken from the primary data set name vital record specification. Retention date is calculated based on the values set in the current subchain of the primary vital record specification. Release actions are determined by values that are set in the primary vital record specification.
Retained by the primary data set name vital record specification including the UNTILEXPIRED retention type in the current subchain
Location is taken from the primary data set name vital record specification. Retention date is calculated based on the values set in both the primary vital record specification and the secondary vital record specification. The retention date is the earliest date of the two current vital record specifications. Release actions are determined by values that are set in the primary vital record specification.
Retained by the secondary vital record specification and not the primary vital record specification
Location is taken from the secondary vital record specification. Retention date is the calculated based on the value set in the secondary vital record specification. Release actions are determined by values that are set in the secondary vital record specification.
Not retained by any vital record specification