Republican lawmakers Tim Walberg and Rick Allen have asked the Department of Justice to help recover taxpayer money that was improperly paid to multiemployer pension plans. The money was part of the American Rescue Plan Act. In November 2023, the Committee on Education & the Workforce found that the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation had approved over $127 million in overpayments to the Central States, Southeast, and Southwest Pension Fund.
These overpayments were for at least 3,479 people who had died. The Committee also said that the DOJ had not taken any action against 60 other plans that received similar improper payments.
Addressing DOJ on pension overpayments
As of February 7, 2025, about 30 of the 60 affected plans have voluntarily paid back nearly $30 million. However, the other 30 plans have not returned the improper payments. The lawmakers believe that with the new administration led by President Donald J.
With Trump and a new Attorney General, there is a chance to ensure the DOJ takes meaningful action to recover the improper payments. The Committee on Education & the Workforce is monitoring the situation to ensure taxpayer money is protected against improper use.
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