NWMOAAA PARTNERS WITH SOUTH CENTRAL PENSION RIGHTS PROJECT
The
ongoing partnership between the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging
(MA4) and the South Central Pension Rights project (SCPRP) has proved to be
beneficial to many Missourians who need help to understand and exercise
their pension rights. MA4, in conjunction with Missouri’s ten Area
Agencies on Aging, conducts outreach activities for SCPRP to make residents of the
state aware of this needed project and its pension counseling services.
Roger Cume, Managing Attorney
of SCPRP said, “Missouri is a non right-to-work state with the types of
industries that have resulted in many current retirees being covered by traditional
defined benefit plans. We have seen a recent spike in overpayment
recoupment cases where the Pension Plan Administrator incorrectly calculated
the monthly pension payment and now they are trying to recover the overpayment
by reducing the monthly pension check going forward. We have had some
success in getting recovery of the overpayment and the reduction in the monthly
pension waived.”
Curme mentioned a case in
which a Missouri woman recived a letter from her Pension Plan Administrator
that she had been overpaid more than $80,000. SCPRP helped this
woman obtain a waiver of the overpayment so her monthly pension check wasn’t
reduced by the Plan to recoup the overpayment.
Besides help with recoupment
issues, SCPRP services often pertain to unjustly-denied pension benefits;
locating the company that administers your benefits; deceased spouse’s pension;
entitled-to pension benefit; how to apply for your pension benefits; and
questions about your retirement plan.
SCPRP’s services are provided
through phone and mail communications by attorneys and paralegals. These
services are free, regardless of the age of the person seeking
assistance. If you would like to know more, visit their website at www.southcentralpension.org
or contact SCPRP at 1-800-443-2528. Please note: SCPRP does
not accept public benefit cases.
HISTORY WITH AAAs
The U.S.
Administration on Aging has established a grant program to provide pension
counseling projects across the United States, because it can be difficult for
individuals to understand complex pension plans and laws. One of those projects, The South Central Pension Rights Project (SCPRP), assists people in Missouri, as well as other states, with their retirement issues.
Since it began in October 2008, SCPRP has recovered more than $2.5 million in benefits and has assisted more than 300 individuals with their retirement benefit questions. There is never a charge to clients, and they are assisted regardless of age, income or the value of the pension involved.
The current economic climate means that there are more people than ever in need of help with their retirement benefits. SCPRP answers questions about complicated pension issues, locates and explains retirement plan documents that might be difficult to find, corrects pension miscalculations, tracks down benefits from past employers and provides referrals to retirement benefit professionals, such as attorneys and actuaries, as needed.
SCPRP can assist with retirement income plans offered by either private or government employers and can help clients make more informed decisions by making sure they understand and can exercise their legal rights to their retirement benefits.
Although it is headquartered in Texas, SCPRP provides service for Missouri. Their staff will be available by phone or in person if needed to assist retirees with problems related to pensions to which they are entitled. This is another example of how the AAA partners with entities who are experts in other areas to bring information and resources to clients.
Contact SCPRP for assistance at 800-443-2528
or visit www.southcentralpension.org
for more information.
