PENSION AGENCY HOSTS NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DAY

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Regional offices of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA) will host a nationwide "Employee Benefits Customer Service Day" on a Saturday, March 20, 1999 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Workers and their families are invited to telephone the agency with questions about their employer-provided pension and health benefits. Offices participating in PWBA's first "Employee Benefits Customer Service Day" include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman has said, "Most workers know more about the program 'ER' than they do about health benefits they receive on the job."

PWBA staff will be available to help the public resolve any problems in obtaining benefits from their health and pension plans and explain their basic benefit rights, which are protected by Federal law. Questions about the following are likely to be received:

-- vesting in retirement benefits

-- withholding of participation in the health plan of a new employer

-- getting payment of a claim for health benefits

-- how health, retirement and other fringe benefit programs operate

-- fraud and abuse in operating a pension or health plan

-- problems in getting pension benefits or health claims paid

-- laws that protect rights to such benefits, and

-- how to exercise their rights to those benefits.

Contact the nearest office of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, listed in the blue pages of the telephone book, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

In addition, the public can obtain helpful brochures on health and retirement benefits by calling PWBA's Publication Hotline at 1-800-998-7542.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gloria Della
202/219-7222 x 3042

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Internet. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202.693.7773 or TTY 202.693.7775.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Contact Name: GLORIA DELLA
Phone Number: (202) 219-8921