February 21, 2023

Matthew S. Harger joined the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Cincinnati Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor in June of 1997 as an Investigator. As an Investigator, Mr. Harger was responsible for enforcement and compliance activities pursuant to the ERISA, which included conducting both civil and criminal investigations of pension and health plans. Additionally, Mr. Harger has previously served as the Cincinnati Regional Office’s Voluntary Fiduciary Corrections Program Coordinator and the Office’s Employee Contribution Program Coordinator.

In October of 2010, Mr. Harger took on the role of Senior Benefits Advisor. In this capacity, Mr. Harger provides technical information, guidance and assistance in response to written, telephone, and walk-in inquiries from plan administrators, participants and beneficiaries, members of Congress, employers, and the general public on the rights and benefits of individuals under Title I of ERISA.

In addition, Mr. Harger conducts public education outreach programs which focus on pension and health plan related matters. Mr. Harger is also responsible for developing and maintaining federal, state and local strategic alliances with various institutions and organizations to assist in educating workers in understanding their ERISA rights.

Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Harger was the Director of Human Resources for a healthcare facility, which included among many other things, administering and overseeing the administration of the company’s pension, retirement, and health plans. Mr. Harger holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Human Resources Management from Wright State University and holds a Professional in Human Resources designation.