I understand that Social Security has a database of individuals who have been identified as having qualified for pension benefits under private retirement plans. How can I find out about my pension benefits?

Social Security keeps a database of individuals who have been identified by the Internal Revenue Service as having qualified for pension benefits under private retirement plans. This database is maintained by Social Security under the 1974 Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) which was enacted to protect the pension benefit right of workers.

Under the provisions of ERISA, Social Security notifies claimants applying for Social Security benefits of any information Social Security has on file about their vested pension benefits or those of the deceased number holder. Also under the provisions of ERISA, Social Security can provide, upon request, any information there is on file about a person's vested pension benefits.

To request information on a private retirement plans, send a written request to:

OCO Office of Earnings Operations
Attention: ERISA Correspondence Group
P.O. Box 33007
Baltimore, MD 21290-3307

In your request, you should include the following information on yourself or the deceased number holder:

• Social Security Number, name, date of birth, parents' names, and signature;
• Name of pension plan and month and year that you or the number holder terminated employment covered by the plan;
• The Privacy Act penalty statement: "I certify that I am the person to whom the record pertains, or that person's parent (if a minor) or legal guardian, or a person who is authorized to sign on behalf of that individual. I know that the knowing and willful request or acquisition of records under false pretences is a criminal offense subject to a fine of up to $5,000"; and
• Name and address of person who is to be sent the information.