News Release

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Release Date: September 9, 2008
Release Number: 08-1277-PHI (ebsa 08-161)
Contact Name: Leni Fortson
Phone Number: 215.861.5102
Correction: Release reissued with corrected date and location

U.S. Labor Department sponsors free workshops to assist employee benefit professionals

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will hold two free workshops to help employers, pension plan administrators and other benefit professionals comply with federal employee benefits law. They will be held on September 18 at the Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Greentree, 101 Radisson Drive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program Workshop, scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. EDT, will offer comprehensive information and one-on-one help on how to apply to and use the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) to self-correct violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The program is designed to make it easier for benefit managers and professionals to comply with ERISA and avoid enforcement action by the Labor Department

The workshop is open to employers, accountants, fiduciaries, third party administrators, attorneys and anyone concerned about their responsibilities in administering employee benefit plans.

The Abandoned Plan Program workshop, scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT, will assist employee benefit professionals in understanding the federal regulations governing abandoned plans. Issues to be covered will include: what is an abandoned plan; how to terminate and wind down the plan; and who may initiate and carry out the process of terminating an abandoned plan.

Registration is limited to 40 people for both workshops, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals should register as soon as possible to ensure space availability. For more information and to register, contact Lisa Scimeca, EBSA’s associate regional director, at 215.861.5313, or e-mail VFCP-PHIRO@dol.gov. Registrants also will need to complete a form available on the agency’s Web site at www.dol.gov/ebsa.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7828 or TTY 202.693.7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.