Retirees who live in, or worked in, Illinois can rest assured that they will continue to have access to free pension counseling services thanks to a fifth year of funding from The Retirement Research Foundation. The Pension Action Center was recently notified that it is to receive a grant of over $124,000 in October of 2016 from the RRF to continue this important work.

The Pension Action Center began the Illinois Pension Assistance Project in July of 2012 through a grant from the RRF. To date, the Illinois Pension Assistance Project has served over 900 people and recovered over $2.5 million in benefits. This work has been funded through grants from the RRF and from the U.S. Administration for Community Living/Administration on Aging.

Pension Action Center Director Jeanne Medeiros said, “We are absolutely delighted that The Retirement Research Foundation has awarded us this grant. We are so happy that we will continue to provide free and expert legal assistance for people in Illinois. There is no other entity that provides this type of service for people in Illinois who have questions or problems with their pensions. IPAP is really meeting a legal need that is otherwise unmet by the private bar or other advocacy groups.”

Individuals looking for help from the Illinois Pension Assistance Project may call toll-free at 1-888-425-6067, or fill out an online request for assistance at www.umb.edu/pensionaction.

Thank you, Retirement Research Foundation!