Popular Name: PWBA
Objectives: The primary mission of PWBA is to protect the pension health care and other welfare benefits of American workers and their families. There are about 6.7 million employee benefit plans, which cover about 150 million people, including workers and retirees and their families. These plans control more than $3.5 trillion in assets. In administering its responsibilities under ERISA, PWBA: (1) Ensures that workers get the information they need to protect their benefit rights; (2) assists plan officials in understanding the requirements of the relevant laws in order for them to meet their legal responsibilities; (3) develops policies and regulations that encourage the growth of employment-based benefits; and (4) deters and seeks to correct violations of the relevant statutes through education, voluntary compliance, and civil and criminal enforcement actions.
| PROGRAM AND AWARD | FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS |
| ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS | FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO. |
| APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS | INFORMATION CONTACTS |
| RELATED PROGRAMS | ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS | POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS |
Applicant Eligibility: Plan administrators, trustees, participants, beneficiaries of employee benefit plans, or others involved in plan administration may obtain assistance in complying with the Act. Interested persons may obtain certain plan documents which are required to be filed by plan administrators.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Plan officials, trustees, participants, beneficiaries of employee benefit plans, or others involved in plan administration.
Credentials/Documentation: None.
Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Contact the nearest field office of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. (Participants and beneficiaries should first contact their plan administrator for plan information.)
Award Procedure: Not applicable.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects: Not applicable.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable.
Federal Agency: PENSION AND WELFARE BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Type of Assistance: Dissemination of Technical Information.
Obligations: (Salaries and Expenses) FY 99 $90,340,000; FY 00 est $98,934,000; and FY 01 est $107,832,000.
Budget Account Number: 16-1700-0-1-601.
Authorization: Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended, Public Law 93-406, 29 U.S.C. 1001 note.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: Copies of the final regulations, proposed regulations, and other directives are available from the national office or on PWBA's website at www.dol.gov/dol/pwba. Certain audio-visual material also are available for hearing-impaired audiences. PWBA publishes a variety of free publications directed to employers and participants which can be obtained from its website and its publication hotline at 1-800-998-7542.
Regional or Local Office: Persons desiring assistance should contact the nearest Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration field office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N5656, Washington, DC 20210. Phone: (202) 219-8776. Contact Gloria Della.
(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)
Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions: Plan professionals, participants and beneficiaries of employee pension, health care and welfare benefit plans obtain information about the legal requirements for plan administration, plan provisions, financial operations or how to obtain a benefit.
Reports: Not applicable.
Audits: Not applicable.
Records: Not applicable.