§1143 Research, Studies, and Reports

Summary

The Secretary can do research and surveys about employee benefit plans, like retirement, deferred pay, and welfare plans, and even plans not covered by this law. The Secretary must collect, combine, study, and publish data and information about these plans. The Secretary must also carry out studies about pension plans, including how the law affects plan rules and costs, the role of private pensions for the nation’s economic security, and how private pensions work (for example, benefit types and levels, portability, financial and actuarial practices, and ways to help the private pension system grow). The Secretary may do other related studies as needed. Research and reports can be done by the Department or by outside groups using grants or contracts. The Secretary must work with Congress and give data, information, staff, and services for any congressional study or report about pension plans run by States or local governments.