People who have problems with their pension plans may soon be able to call an 800-number to get help from a federal expert. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin proposes creating the Office of Pension Participant Advocacy within the U-S Labor Department. Harkin says some employers mislead workers when it comes to retirement savings.Harkin says the new office would set up a central location where people on pensions could get help.Harkin says with the number of retirees set to skyrocket in the coming years, “there’s no better time to focus on protecting American’s pensions.”The so-called “motherhood penalty” would be eliminated from Social Security programs under an amendment being offered today by Senator Harkin. Harkin says the penalty is a reference to the time some women take away from their jobs to raise children or take care of a sick parent.Harkin says his amendment also aims to keep Social Security solvent for at least 50 years. It would stipulate that all interest payments saved from buying down the national debt go toward Social Security.
