Private Pensions The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation And Longterm Budgetary Challenges Testimony Before The Committee On The Budget House Of Representatives

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) insures the retirement future of nearly 44 million people in more than 30,000 private-sector defined benefit pension plans. In July 2003, PBGC¿s single-employer pension insurance program was designated as ¿high risk,¿ meaning that it needed urgent attention and transformation. The program remains on the list today with a projected financial deficit of over $13 billion, as of Sept. 2007. Because Congress exercises oversight of PBGC, the author was asked to testify on: (1) the critical role PBGC plays in protecting the pension benefits of workers and how PBGC is funded; (2) the financial challenges facing PBGC; and (3) the PBGC¿s governance, oversight and management challenges. Tables.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency that works for Congress. The GAO watches over Congress, and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayers dollars. The Comptroller General of the United States is the leader of the GAO, and is appointed to a 15-year term by the U.S. President. The GAO wants to support Congress, while at the same time doing right by the citizens of the United States. They audit, investigate, perform analyses, issue legal decisions and report anything that the government is doing. This is one of their reports.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) insures the pension benefits of 44 million private sector workers and retirees in over 30,000 employer-sponsored pension plans. It was reported that PBGC¿s governance structure needed improvements. Congress is considering expanding the board of dir. to include additional members. It was also recommended that the board develop policies and mechanisms consistent with corp. governance practices, and develop formal guidelines to clarify the roles and respon. of the board chair, members, and their rep. This report addresses: the steps PBGC has taken to improve policy direction and oversight; and (2) how Congress applies oversight to PBGC and what other oversight mechanisms exist for gov¿t. corps. Illus.