PRC Fact Sheet Answers Questions on Multiemployer Plan Rescue Law’s Implementation
By David Brandolph Last March 11 was a joyous day for the Pension Rights Center, multiemployer defined benefit plan members, plan retirees and their families. Thanks to a joint (and painstaking) seven-year effort to inform and convince Congress of the need to address the systemic threat posed by a pension plan insolvency calamity, President Joseph […]
Nonprofit Leader Crusaded Quietly to Protect Pension Benefits
Karen Ferguson, who has died at age 80, built coalitions in Washington and took phone calls from people struggling to obtain promised payments
Karen Ferguson, Fighter for Pension Rights, Dies at 80
She started as one of Ralph Nader’s “Nader Raiders” and, after developing an expertise in retirement systems, became a leading advocate for workers’ rights.
Karen Ferguson, founder of pension watchdog group, dies at 80
Karen Ferguson, the founder of the Pension Rights Center, a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect the interests of workers and retired people and helps promote legislation on their behalf, died Dec. 23 at her home in Washington. She was 80.
PRC staff and board of directors, together with national leaders, deeply mourn the passing of their hero and guiding light, Karen Ferguson
It is with deep sadness and the heaviest of hearts that the staff and board of directors of the Pension Rights Center announce the death of Karen Ferguson, the Center’s president and founder, who died on December 23rd from cancer. The Pension Rights Center is a national consumer organization that works to protect the retirement […]
John Deere workers successfully resist demand for pension freeze of new hires
By David Brandolph Chalk up a victory for a traditional defined benefit pension plan and its members. About 10,000 striking John Deere Co. workers are returning to work under a new contract that, among other provisions, removes language from an initial tentative bargaining agreement that would have prevented new employees from joining the company’s pension […]
Watch Out for 401(k) Fees
By Jane Smith The Pension Rights Center has long warned consumers to be aware of the fees charged by 401(k) plans. That message was reinforced by syndicated columnist Michelle Singletary in her article “Your 401(k) is pocketing fees on your investment. Many people don’t realize it.” Singletary told her readers “It’s important that you understand that the […]
PRC and Covington & Burling LLP comments to IRS on Rev. Proc. 2021-30
PRC submitted comments with Covington & Burling LLP to the IRS on Rev. Proc. 2021-30, which updated selected correction procedures for benefit overpayments under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“EPCRS”).
What Women Facing Divorce Must Know About Spousal Retirement Benefits
By David Brandolph Divorce can be both emotionally traumatic and financially devastating – especially to older women who are as much as three times as likely as men to be below the poverty line in retirement. That’s why it’s important for older women and all others experiencing a divorce to know that they may be entitled to […]
The Pension Rights Center urges the IRS to protect retirement spousal rights
For Immediate Release Contact: Karen Friedman, 202-320-6518 The Pension Rights Center (PRC) sent a comment letter to the IRS in opposition to efforts to weaken spousal rights to retirement benefits. The Pension Rights Center has been a leading consumer voice working to protect the retirement security of workers, retirees […]
PRC Comments to the IRS on Notice 2021-40, Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consent
PRC submitted comments to the IRS on Notice 2021-40, Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consent.
Congress considers provisions that would limit when retirement plans can recover overpayments
By Emily Gilbert In my last blog post, I talked about how often we hear from people who cannot locate their retirement plans, and how Congress is taking steps to address this issue. Provisions related to lost retirement plans are included in legislation now pending in the Senate and House of Representatives. Two of these bills also […]
