Next the Ombudsman contacted the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) because that agency may have taken over the plan if the previous employer became bankrupt. The PBGC did not have any record of a plan through the former employer or the man’s former union.
Then the Ombudsman checked with the Department of Labor, because the employer or union would have filed a tax form for the pension plan with that Department. At the time the man was an active member of the union it was known by a number. Since that time there have been mergers of unions and a change of name. The Department of Labor staff person located and contacted the correct union, and the man was sent paperwork to complete to request payment of his pension.
The man completed the paperwork and received the first payment of about $300 at the first of this month. The payments will continue monthly at that amount for the next ten years. The man is thrilled that the lost pension was located.
The Ombudsman Column, a production of the Joint Office of Citizens' Complaints, summarizes selected problems that citizens have had with government services, schools and nursing homes in the Dayton area. Contact the Ombudsman by writing to the Beerman Building, 11 W. Monument Avenue, Suite 606, Dayton 45402, or telephone (937) 223-4613, or by electronic mail at ombudsman@dayton-ombudsman.org or like us on Facebook at "Dayton Ombudsman Office."
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