An Up-to-Date Review for the General Practitioner Covering:
- Pension Basics
- Spotting Common Issues
- Accessing Resources You Can Use to Represent the Interests of Your Clients.

Presented by:
John P. Hotz, Deputy Director
Pension Rights Center, Washington, DC

About the Presenter
John Hotz is Deputy Director of the Pension Rights Center and directs its National Pension Assistance Resource Center initiative, providing legal training and back-up services to a network of pension counseling projects around the country. He is also developing the PensionHelp America web site initiative (www.PensionHelp.net). Before coming to the PRC ten years ago, John directed the California Pension Rights Project. He has also served as an advocate for individuals with disabilities, and served as a human resources manager in private industry. John is a graduate of the University of San Francisco's Kendrick School of Law.

9:00 - 9:15 REVIEWING ERISA'S STATUTORY STRUCTURE
An overview of ERISA's statutory structure. Assessing what Law governs the case.
9:30 - 10:00 PLAN TYPES AND THE BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE
Understanding essential differences between defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. How the money goes in, how it accrues over time, and how distributions are made.
10:00 - 10:45 ERISA'S MINIMUM STANDARDS AND PARTICIPANT PROTECTIONS
Participation and coverage, vesting and accrual of benefits, pension distributions, checking benefit calculations, reductions and offsets, and rights of divorced and surviving spouses including Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 11:15 OBTAINING PLAN INFORMATION AFTER THE PENSION PROTECTION ACT
Knowing what documents the client has a right to and how to obtain, understand and utilize them in evaluating and pursuing a claim for your client.
11:15 - 12:00 ERISA'S CLAIMS AND APPEALS STRUCTURE; AVAILABLE RELIEF
Understanding the importance of the administrative process and record. The reasonableness requirement for claims procedures; adequate notice of claim denial; full and fair review and access to plan documents.
12:00 - 12:15 FINDING LOST PENSIONS
Tips and tricks for finding plans sponsored by companies that have merged, relocated, changed names, or gone out of business altogether.

LOCATIONS:

CEDAR FALLS: Cedar Falls Area Education Agency, 3712 Cedar Heights Drive.
CEDAR RAPIDS: Department of Human Services, 411 3rd Street SE. 5th Floor, Room 550. Use 3rd Street entrance to building. Metered parking.
COUNCIL BLUFFS: Educational Services Center Administration, 12 Scott Street. Stop at front desk by main entrance to sign in and get directions to room. Metered parking.
DAVENPORT: Eastern Iowa Community College District, 326 West 3rd Street. Room 300 in Kahl Educational Center. Use main building entrance and follow posted directions. Metered parking.
DES MOINES: State Library, Ola Babcock Miller Building, East 10th & Grand Avenue, 3rd floor near stairs. Free parking lot North side of building.
DUBUQUE: Dubuque Community School District, 2300 Chaney. Forum Building, Marv O'Hare ICN Room on second floor, adjacent to lounge (see posted directions to room). Free parking.
IOWA CITY: Iowa City Public Library, 123 South Linn Street. Meeting Room D. Park in ramp one block south of library.
MASON CITY: North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive. Room CB118. Free parking.
OTTUMWA: Great Prairie Area Education Agency 15, 2814 N Court Street. Free parking.
SIOUX CITY: Department of Human Services. 822 Douglas Street. ICN Room on 4th Floor. Metered parking.