Get Help With Your Pension
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2004-03-19 09:53:00-05:00
Do you understand your pension plan? Do you know your pension rights under federal law or how to get the benefits you are entitled to?
Local Program Provides Free Assistance
For residents of Massachusetts, the New England Pension Assistance Project provides assistance to individuals having trouble understanding or obtaining their pension benefits. There are no fees for these services.
Since 1993, the New England Pension Assistance Project has helped more than 3,000 people and recovered benefits valued at $13.9 million for clients.
Run by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the project uses attorneys, law students, professional staff and trained volunteer counselors to conduct interviews and investigate claims. Staffers help clients obtain documents that explain their pensions, fill out forms to apply for their pensions, locate bankrupt or defunct plans and find proof of work histories or any other documents needed to claim a pension.
Do You Have Questions About Your Pension Plan?
- How can I find out if I am entitled to a pension?
- What should I do if I think I am entitled to a pension but my employer says I'm not?
- How do I find out who manages the company's pension plan?
- Will I receive payments under my former spouse's pension?
- What happens to my benefits when I die?
- How does my Social Security benefit affect my pension?
- What happens to my pension plan when I change employers?
- Will my benefits be paid if my employer goes bankrupt?
- Can I take early retirement?
- Can I take a lump-sum payment?
Cut Through the Red Tape and Find the Answers
The New England Pension Assistance Project:
- offers you free counseling and assistance
- recovers pension benefits to which you are entitled
- explains your pension plan provisions
- addresses your eligibility problems
- helps locate your pension benefits
- provides speakers on pension issues
- supplies referrals to attorneys
- supplies a listing of financial advisors
The New England Pension Assistance Project is supported by the University of Massachusetts Boston, the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Boston Bar Foundation and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Contact the New England Pension Assistance Project online, via email or by phone at (617) 287-7307 or toll free (888) 425-6067.
Related Articles
- AARP Retirement Resources
Several articles about pensions and other retirement information
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