US Labor Department solicits nominations for 2012 ERISA Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting nominations to fill five three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council. The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 16.

The 15-member council provides advice on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Members serve for staggered three-year terms and are appointed by the secretary of labor to represent specified groups and fields that are involved in employee benefits. The council meets at least four times a year and makes recommendations to the secretary regarding functions carried out under ERISA.

Nominations are being accepted for one vacancy each to represent the fields of employee organizations, employers, corporate trust, investment management and the general public. Interested persons or organizations may nominate qualified individuals for membership.

Nominations should briefly describe the candidate's qualifications and the group or field for which the candidate is being nominated. Nominations should also include the nominee's full name, work affiliation, mailing address, phone number and email address, and should state that the candidate will accept appointment to the council if offered. Nominations must be submitted by letter, resolution or petition and signed by the person or, in the case of a nomination by an organization, by the group's representative making the recommendation. Each also must include the nominating party's full name, mailing address, phone number and email address.

Nominations should be submitted by mail to Larry Good, executive secretary, ERISA Advisory Council, Room N-5623, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210 or by email to good.larry@dol.gov.

Attendance and participation in the council's meetings and other work has historically resulted in a commitment of 15 to 20 days per year. Additional information about the council and the appointment process can be found on EBSA's website at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/aboutebsa/erisa_advisory_council.html.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.