PBGC Expands Service Hours

October 4, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has expanded its customer service hours by 2 hours a day.

>On Friday the nation’s private pension insurer said that its participant now will be open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

“PBGC is constantly looking for ways to improve its customer service,” said PBGC’s Executive Director Bradley D. Belt.   “Keeping the open an extra two hours each day will help us to provide better service to more participants.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANSPONSOR newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan benefits news.

>The PBGC’s , which opened in 1996, handles calls from participants in plans trusteed by PBGC.   The main number is 1-800-400-7242, while a second number, 1-800-707-7242, was implemented to handle calls from participants in the LTV Steel Corp. and National Steel Corp. pension plans.   A third number, 1-800-453-9584, was set up for participants in the Bethlehem Steel Corp. pension plan.   TTY/TDD users can call the federal relay service toll-free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to the appropriate number.  

>Customers who call after normal business hours can leave a message.   PBGC pledges to return calls the next business day.  

>Additionally, participants who have Internet access can also conduct several transactions online via My Pension Benefit Account (My PBA) via PBGC’s Web site, www.pbgc.gov .   After establishing an account, all participants can update their contact information electronically thru My PBA, and retirees can also request or edit their Electronic Direct Deposit or Federal tax withholdings.

>Participants can also e-mail mypension@pbgc.gov or write

PBGC

P.O. Box 151750

Alexandria, Va. 22315-1750.  

«