The Gerontology Institute's Pension Assistance Project, which helps individuals who are having problems securing their pensions, is growing. Established in January 1994 after receiving one of seven demonstration grants from the Older Americans Act, the Project has again received major support &endash; a grant of $225,000 over three years from the Federal Administration on Aging. "We are delighted to be able to expand a very successful program to cover all of New England because of this grant," said Ellen A. Bruce, JD, the Program's director and Gerontology faculty member. "Someday we hope that similar projects will cover people in every state of the Union."
Together with Bruce and Program Coordinator Jacob (Jack) Pizer, volunteers provide assistance by telephone to individuals having problems with their pensions. The volunteers explain options, investigate cases, and help individuals pursue claims when necessary.
The Project has assisted more than 950 people in Massachusetts. As a result of the new grant, it expects to counsel 300 individuals in New England this year and 500 individuals per year in the second and third years. Outreach programs, seminars and conferences are expected to benefit approximately 6,000 more individuals, and 200,000 households will be informed through newspaper and television. The Project will also distribute materials through a network of elder service and advocacy groups. The Project is expected to help individuals recover approximately $1 million in the first year as the Project expands services to other states.
The Gerontology Institute will hold an annual conference to share the program's successful model with representatives from community partners in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. A partner in Rhode Island is being sought. A Regional Coordinator will be hired to visit each community partner, providing supervision, outreach, assistance, and referrals.
To help handle the anticipated growth, Bruce expects to bring on additional volunteers, who receive stipends, to the Project's UMass Boston office. Presently six volunteers provide counseling and service to individuals; Bruce expects this number to increase to 11 by the end of the second year of the grant.
A complimentary program at the Gerontology Institute, the National Pension Lawyers Network, will assist people throughout the U.S. having pension difficulties by referring them to attorneys with expertise in this area.
&emdash;by Patrick Dwyer