Compliance October 17, 2005

DoL Tracking Storm Affected Plan Sponsors

October 17, 2005 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The US Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) on Monday launched a Web site allowing plan sponsors who had to relocate because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to update their current contact data.
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A news release said the updated contact information will allow employees, plan participants and their families, as well as the many other support organizations assisting victims of the hurricanes, to reach plan administrators with questions and information related to their retirement and health benefits.

“Lack of contact information can result in participants not receiving retirement checks, knowing where to send premium payments for their health benefits, how to reach plan administrators for needed services or how to find general information about the status of their employment or benefits,” said Ann Combs, assistant secretary of labor for employee benefits security, in the news release. “This site will allow participants, their families and others to reach the administrators of those plans with their questions.”

The Web site includes a searchable database that lists pre-hurricane contact information garnered from the Form 5500 Annual Reports filed previously by all employee benefit plans located in the affected disaster areas.   Employers/plan sponsors who wish to update or correct their contact information included on this site may do so by calling toll free 866-444-EBSA (3272) or by submitting a Verification of Contact Information Form found on  the Web site .

Employees/plan participants who need to locate their employer/plan sponsor may  search the database or contact a benefits advisor for assistance at 866-444-EBSA (3272).

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