Effective February 3, 2003, the Department of Labor (DOL) changed the name of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA) to the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). According to EBSA Assistant Secretary Ann L. Combs, the action was implemented to "…enable Americans to better identify the federal agency that assists them in understanding and receiving their benefits."
EBSA will continue to meet the ever-increasing demand to assist workers with their health and retirement benefits. The agency will continue its outreach activities to educate individuals and the business community about its programs, services and relevant federal law and to help employers and service providers comply with their obligations under the law.
The public may reach EBSA by using the existing telephone, e-mail, and Web site contacts for PWBA. The agency is initiating a new toll-free participant assistance number, 1-866-444-EBSA (3272); a new Web site for electronic inquiries; and a new Web site. To reduce paperwork and costs, employers and plans will not be required to modify existing summary plan descriptions to reflect the agency's name change.