Thursday, November 17, 2011

Website Assists With Employee Benefits & Retirement Questions

Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has a new website that assists people who have questions or concerns about their retirement, health or other benefits plans. Users can submit concerns, questions or complaints electronically to receive quick answers and to connect with experience benefits advisers. The agency hopes the new website will alleviate some of the thousands of phone calls they receive each year through their toll-free consumer assistance line.

"Helping retirement and health plan participants find answers to questions about their benefits and providing assistance when they believe their benefits have been improperly denied is one of our most important responsibilities," said EBSA Assistant Secretary Phyllis Borzi.

Once on the site, users can click on the "Request Assistance" option at the top of the page to submit their concern. In addition, the site provides links to resources about benefit plans and answers to "hot topics" questions. EBSA says a benefits adviser should respond as soon as possible but no later than 3 business days.