U.S. Department of Labor to sponsor fiduciary and employee benefit plan workshops in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 17 and 18

Charlotte, North Carolina – The U.S. Department of Labor will sponsor free workshops to assist employers and service providers in understanding and complying with federal regulations regarding employee pension and health benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Representatives from the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will conduct the seminars at the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park, 5624 Westpark Drive in Charlotte, on June 17 and 18.

The June 17 all-day workshop will assist fiduciaries and service providers in understanding the new Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) premium reduction provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Attendees also will receive information on fiduciary responsibilities if they encounter an EBSA investigation for violations of ERISA as well as updated information on the agency’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program.

From 9 a.m. to noon EDT on June 18, EBSA staff will focus on concerns regarding the roles of attorneys, third party administrators, certified public accountants and bankruptcy trustees with respect to employee benefit plans sponsored by employers facing insolvency and bankruptcy. The training will explain interactions between the bankruptcy code and ERISA concerning plan administration and fiduciary responsibility.

Individuals interested in attending the workshops may contact Keyunna Hall at 404.302.3968, by fax at 404.302.3978 or by email at Hall.Keyunna@dol.gov. While the workshops are free, registration is required and should be received no later than June 15. Late registrations will be accepted based on space availability.

EBSA protects the integrity of individual and group pensions, health plans and other employee benefits for more than 150 million people through enforcement of ERISA. EBSA conducts an ongoing program of educational outreach activities directed at informing fiduciaries, employers and plan service providers of their fiduciary responsibilities.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7828 or TTY 202.693.7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.