Pension Rights Center's Founder Karen Ferguson to Receive 2022 Public Service Award in Employee Benefits

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2022

International Foundation Hosts Annual Washington Legislative Update

Washington, D.C.— Karen Ferguson, Pension Rights Center founder, will be posthumously awarded the 2022 Public Service Award by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans on Tuesday, May 24 at the Foundation's annual Washington Legislative Update. The Foundation's Public Service Award recognizes federal elected or appointed officials—and occasionally members of the private sector—who have made important contributions to the employee benefits system.

James A. Klein, president of the American Benefits Council and a long-serving member of the Foundation's Government Liaison Committee, said the Committee was honored to nominate for the Foundation Board's consideration someone who carved a unique path in this industry, dedicated to a higher quality of life for all Americans through wider pension coverage.

"Karen Ferguson's life's work was focused on challenging the systems in place to ensure a secure retirement," said Klein.

"Under her leadership, the Pension Rights Center became the central clearinghouse for all pension related matters," said Kevin Tighe, Vice President, Labor Relations for NECA and President and Chair of the Board for the Foundation. He added that, as founder and director of the Pension Rights Center in Washington for more than four decades, Ferguson successfully lobbied Congress for numerous pension reforms.

Ferguson passed away this past December at the age of 80. Her son, Andrew, will be accepting the award on her behalf.

The Foundation's Washington Legislative Update, held May 23 and 24 at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall, is an annual event that helps employee benefit specialists keep informed of the latest regulatory changes affecting the benefits industry. Participants hear from political and policy insiders on how events in Washington will impact their organizations.

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The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is the premier educational organization dedicated to providing the diverse employee benefits community with objective, solution-oriented education, research and information to ensure the health and financial security of plan beneficiaries worldwide. The Foundation has more than 30,000 multiemployer, corporate and public sector members representing over 25 million lives. For additional information, visit www.ifebp.org.

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