Focus On Retirement Security

"Whatever kind of retirement plan an employee may have - whether it be a 401(k) or a corporate or union pension plan, our goal is to protect all hard-working Americans, so they can look to their retirement with confidence and hope."
-- Secretary Elaine L. Chao

The private pension system is essential to the security of American workers, retirees and their families. While the current scrutiny is appropriate and welcome, we must strengthen the confidence of the American workforce that their retirement savings are secure. The challenge before us today is to strengthen the system in ways that enhance its ability to deliver the retirement income American workers depend on without unnecessarily limiting employers' willingness to establish and maintain plans for their workers or employees' freedom to direct their own savings. The President's Retirement Security Plan strikes just such a balance.

Workers, Participants, and Beneficiaries

• President Takes Action to Protect Pensions and Retirement Security for All Americans/DOL Issues Rules On Disclosure Of Pension Plan "Blackout Periods"

• President Calls for Action to Protect American Workers' Retirement Savings

• President's Agenda to Strengthen Retirement Security

• Specifics on the President's Plan to Strengthen Retirement Security

• Statement of Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives  [02/13/02]

• Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Before  The House Committee on Education and The Workforce  [02/06/02]

• Assistant Secretary Ann L. Combs Testifies Before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations (Enforcement)

• Independent Expert Takes Charge of Enron Pension Plans

• Rapid ERISA Action Team for Bankruptcy Fact Sheet

• What You Should Know About Your Pension Rights [pdf]

• 10 Warning Signs that Pension Contributions are being Misused

• For More Information...

Employers, Service Providers, Fiduciaries, and Plan Sponsors

• Final Rule on Notice of Blackout Periods

• Blackout Periods Regulation Civil Penalties and Conforming Changes

• Amicus Brief in the Enron Case [08/30/02]

• Compliance Assistance Expanded for Employee Benefit Plans

• DFVC Program Fact Sheet & FAQs

• VFCP Fact Sheet & FAQs

• Labor Department Issues New VFCP Guidance

• Troubleshooters Guide to Filing ERISA Form 5500 [Pt 1] | [Pt 2]

• For More Information...

2002 National Summit on Retirement Savings

• Labor Secretary Encourages Americans to Celebrate Financial Independence Day

• Labor Secretary Challenges Financial Leaders at Summit

• Speeches/Remarks from the National Summit

• Summit Background Materials

• 2002 National Summit on Retirement Savings Final Report [pdf]

• EBSA Offices

• Organization Chart

• Final Rules

• Notices

• Proposed Rules

• Public Comments

• Advisory Opinions

• Exemptions

• Field Bulletins

• Information Letters

• Interpretive Bulletins

• EO 12866 Guidance

• Abandoned Plans

• Correction Programs

• Fiduciary Education

• For Health Plans

• For Retirement Plans

• For Small Employers

• Reporting and Filing

• Webcasts

Consumer Information

• Health Plans

• Retirement Plans

• Retirement Savings

• Questions/Assistance