By Sandra Wisnewski, J.D., Director of Client Assistance, Director of the Mid-America Pension Rights Project

The Mid-America Pension Rights Project (MAPRP) assists clients with pension and 401(k) issues. There are no age or income restrictions and there is never a charge for our services. The MAPRP works to find answers and solutions to your pension-related problem. Just ask Mr. G.

Mr. G contacted Elder Law of Michigan’s Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors (LHMS), hoping to receive legal advice. The attorney who answered the call realized immediately that Mr. G had a specific legal issue concerning his 401k benefit. The attorney explained to Mr. G that Elder Law of Michigan had a department solely dedicated to clients with pension issues. Mr. G was unaware of the MAPRP. The Elder Law of Michigan attorney scheduled an appointment with the pension attorney.

Mr. G had been a union member for approximately 35 years before becoming disabled. He recently turned 65 and wanted to begin receiving his pension, he needed the money because things were tight. At the time, Mr. G did not anticipate that there would be any problem getting his 401k started. His first call was to his former union. At first, the union told him that they were checking into it. Then Mr. G was informed that they were waiting for an audit to be completed. Each time he called he was told that the audit had still not been completed, this went on for several months.

The MAPRP attorney assigned to the case did some research and decided to contact Mr. G’s former employer directly to see what the holdup was. The attorney contacted the company by phone and was transferred to the person who handled 401k issues. The attorney spoke with the representative and sent an email, requesting the status of Mr. G’s 401k payout. The company representative was very helpful. Soon afterwards, Mr. G received the paperwork necessary to start his benefit. Mr. G told the attorney that he was very grateful for our help and without it he was sure that he would not have received his benefit.

Since the program began in 1998, the Pension Project has assisted over 13,000 clients and has recovered over 67 million dollars in pension benefits. The Pension Project assists clients in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. For more information, visit www.mid-americapensions.org.

If you need help with or information about your pension or 401(k) benefit, please call the Mid-America Pension Rights Project at 866-735-7737 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced attorneys.