Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 20, 1997

Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 with regard to pension rights demonstration projects to: (1) redesignate the current pension rights information programs as counseling programs; (2) remove the limit on the number of grants under such programs; (3) require grant applicants to provide evidence of the agency's or organization's ability to provide program services on a statewide or regional basis; (4) mandate a toll-free telephone number for individuals seeking information and assistance regarding pension and other retirement benefits, and related rights; and (5) increase from 18 months to three years the duration of program grant awards.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 20, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Jun 20, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6043-6044)
Jun 20, 1997
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jun 20, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 2167 · Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.948 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.948, 105th Congress: Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/948

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s948/BILLS-105s948is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.948 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.948 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.948, 105th Congress: Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/948

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s948/BILLS-105s948is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.948 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.948 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.948, 105th Congress: Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/948

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s948/BILLS-105s948is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.948 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.948 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.948, 105th Congress: Pension Assistance and Counseling Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/948

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s948/BILLS-105s948is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.948 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.