National Pension Assistance Resource Center

The National Pension Assistance Resource Center is working to create a nationwide network of counseling and information services to ensure that everyone with a pension or retirement savings question or problem will have a place to go for help. “National PARC” consists of two interrelated components.

The PensionHelp America web site (PHA) links government agencies, Pension Counseling Projects and other non-profit organizations, and private pension professionals to create a nationwide pension assistance network. Customized service referrals provide help for workers and beneficiaries covered by private pension plans and most major public pension systems. Visit the website at www.pensionhelp.org.

The Pension Rights Center provides legal training and day-to-day legal and operational advice to the regional Pension Information and Counseling Projects that provide hands-on assistance to individuals who have questions about their pensions. The Counseling Projects are authorized by Congress under the Older Americans Act, and are primarily supported by grants from the U.S. Administration on Aging. These services are also offered to State and Area Agencies on Aging, Legal Services for the Elderly, and to the private attorneys as appropriate.

National PARC has also developed a unique database designed specifically for penson issues, the Pension Assistance Information Database. PAID is used by the pension counseling projects for intake, case management, and reporting purposes.

National PARC activities are supported by grants from the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Retirement Research Foundation, and The Atlantic Philanthropies. The Administration on Aging also funds the National Education and Resource Center on Women and Retirement Planning (WISER).