ERISA Advisory Council's Working Groups To Meet On 1999 Study Issues

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

The Secretary of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will hold meetings for its three working groups on Oct. 5 and 6. All sessions will be held in Room N3437 A-B at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building at 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC.

The working group studying benefit implications of the growth of a contingent workforce will begin drafting its final report for the Secretary of Labor at the 9:30 a.m. until approximately noon session on Oct. 5.

From 1:00 p.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, the second working group will meet to review its final report draft which is expected to include recommendations regarding the possibility of using surplus pension assets to secure retiree health benefits.

The third working group, studying issues trends in the defined benefit market with a focus on employer-sponsored hybrid plans, will meet June 9 from 9:30 a.m. until approximately noon on Oct. 6. Although the group expects to spend the majority of its session drafting its final report/recommendations, it is anticipated that there may be final witnesses scheduled to address further issues involving transition and employee disclosures when a traditional defined benefit plan converts to a cash balance plan .

Persons wishing to appear before any of the working groups or to submit written testimony on any of the three topics for 1999 may do so by contacting Sharon Morrissey, executive secretary of the Advisory Council, at Room N5656, Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Her direct telephone number is (202)219- 8921. If written testimony is to be provided, 20 copies must be provided to Ms. Morrissey before Sept. 30.

Persons with disabilities wishing to attend the sessions and needing special accommodations, can also contact Ms. Morrissey by Sept. 30.

The ERISA Advisory Council advises the Secretary of Labor on policies pertaining to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other related legislation affecting employee benefit programs provided by private sector employers. Each year the Advisory Council’s 15 members select topics of study and volunteer to serve on at least two of the Advisory Council’s working groups. Their studies will result in reports and/or recommendations to be completed on or before the end of the Advisory Council year, which is Nov. 14.

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 202.693.7755.

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

Contact Name: Sharon Morrissey
Phone Number: 202.219.8921