Pension Policy Commission Act
PL 96-14 (S.532), enacted 05/24/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-14—MAY 24, 1979 
93 STAT. 29 
[S. 532] 
Pension Policy 
Commission Act. 
29 u s e 1001 
note. 
President's 
Commission on 
Pension Policy, 
term extension. 
29 u s e 1001 
note. 
Functions. 
Public Law 96-14 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To continue the work of the President's Commission on Pension Policy to 
^^^ ^^' ^^'^^ 
develop a national retirement income policy in the United States, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be 
cited as the "Pension Policy Commission Act". 
SEC. 2. (a) The President's Commission on Pension Policy (herein-
after in this Act referred to as the "Commission"), established by 
Executive Order Numbered 12071, effective September 21, 1978, is 
authorized to continue in operation for two years following the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(b) During the period the Commission continues in operation the 
Commission shall— 
(1) issue reports on problems facing the Nation's retirement 
systems, 
(2) formulate recommendations for a national retirement 
income policy, and 
(3) consult on a regular basis with committees of the Senate, 
the House of Representatives, and the Congress having jurisdic-
tion over the Commission's work. 
(c) The Commission shall submit a final report, including its 
recommendations and findings, to the President and the Congress. 
The Commission shall cease to exist ninety days after submission of 
its final report. All reports and papers of the Commission shall be 
delivered to the Administrator of General Services for deposit in the 
Archives of the United States. 
(d) In carrying out its functions under this Act, and in making its 
findings and recommendations under subsection (c), the Commission 
shall seek to ensure that it maintains its independence from other 
officers and employees of the Government and any other person with 
special interest in its actions. 
SEC. 3. (a)(1) The eleven members of the Commission appointed by 
the President before the date of the enactment of this Act, including 
the Chairman, may continue to serve for the duration of the 
Commission. 
(2)(A) An appointment to a vacancy in the position of chairman of 
the Commission shall be made by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. 
(B) An appointment to any other vacancy in the membership of the 
Commission shall be made by the President after consultation with 
the Congress. 
(C) All appointments to vacancies in the membership of the 
Commission shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that the 
Commission remains balanced in terms of the points of view repre-
sented and the functions performed by it. 
(3) A quorum of the Commission shall consist of six members, 
except that the Commission may establish a lower number as a 
quorum for the purpose of taking testimony. The Commission is 
Final report to 
President and 
Congress. 
Termination. 
Reports and 
papers to GSA. 
Membership 
duration. 
29 u s e 1001 
note. 
Chairmanship 
vacancy, 
appointment. 
Quorum. 
93 STAT. 30 
PUBLIC LAW 96-14—MAY 24, 1979 
C!ompensation. 
5 u s e 5332 note. 
Travel expenses. 
5 u s e 101 et seq. 
5 u s e 5101 et 
seq., 5331, 5401 
et seq. 
5 u s e 5332 note. 
Travel expenses. 
5 u s e 8101 et 
seq. 
Employee detail. 
Financial and 
administrative 
services by GSA. 
29 u s e 1001 
note. 
authorized to establish committees, and to delegate authority to 
them, when necessary to carry out its functions. 
(4) Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or 
employees of the United States shall serve without additional com-
pensation, but shall continue to receive the salary of their regular 
positions when engaged in the performance of duties of the 
Commission. 
(5) When engaged in the performance of duties of the Commission, 
members of the Commission who are not full-time officers or employ-
ees of the United States shall be compensated at the maximum daily 
rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule. 
(6) All members of the Commission who are not otherwise 
employed by the Federal Government shall be reimbursed for travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, incurred in the 
performance of duties of the Commission, as authorized by section 
5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons in Government service 
employed intermittently. 
(b) Subject to such rules as may be adopted by the Commission, the 
Chairman, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, relating to appointments in the competitive service, and with-
out regard to the provisions of chapter 51, subchapter III of chapter 
53, and chapter 54 of that title, relating to classification and pay, is 
authorized to— 
(1) appoint an Executive Director who shall be compensated at 
a rate not to exceed the rate in effect for level V of the Executive 
Schedule set forth in section 5316 of title 5, United States Code; 
(2) appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as may 
be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, except that in 
no case shall employees be compensated at a rate in excess of the 
rate provided for employees in GS-17 of the General Schedule; 
and 
(3) procure such temporary and intermittent services of 
experts and consultants as are necessary, as authorized by 
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) The Commission is authorized to accept and utilize the services 
of voluntary and uncompensated personnel and reimburse them for 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as author-
ized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, but such personnel 
shall not be considered Federal employees for any purpose other than 
for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, and for 
purposes of sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United States Code. 
(d) Upon request of the Commission, the head of any executive 
department, agency or independent establishment of the United 
States is authorized to detail on a nonreimbursable basis its employ-
ees to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties. 
(e) Financial and administrative services (including those related to 
budget and accounting, financial reporting, personnel, and procure-
ment) shall be provided to the Commission by the General Services 
Administration, for which payment shall be made in advance, or by 
reimbursement, from funds of the Commission, in such amounts as 
may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the 
Administrator of General Services. 
SEC. 4. (a) Upon the request of the Commission, the head of each 
executive department, agency, or independent establishment of the 
United States that has an interest in or a responsibility with respect 
to the areas of the Commission's work shall appoint a liaison officer 
PUBLIC LAW 96-14—MAY 24, 1979 
93 STAT. 31 
who shall work closely with the Commission and its staff in matters 
relating to such areas. 
(b) In carrying out its duties, the Commission may seek the advice 
of individuals and groups interested in retirement, survivor, and 
disability policies including, but not limited to, State and local 
governments and public and private organizations working on such 
matters. 
(c)(1) The Commission or, on authorization of the Commission, any 
committee of two or more members, may hold hearings and sit and 
act at such times and places as the Commission or such authorized 
committee may find advisable, and the provisions of section 1321 of 
title 28, United States Code, shall apply to witnesses invited to appear 
at hearings, and per diem and mileage allowances to witnesses shall 
be paid from funds appropriated to the Commission. 
(2) The Commission is authorized to secure from any executive 
department, agency or independent establishment of the United 
States, information necessary to carry out its functions. Upon request 
of the Commission, the head of any executive department, agency or 
independent establishment shall furnish such information to the 
extent provided by law. 
(d) The Commission may use the United States mails in the same 
manner and under the same conditions as departments and agencies 
of the United States. 
(e) The Commission is authorized to enter into contracts with 
Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individ-
uals for the conduct of research and surveys, the preparation of 
reports, and other activities necessary for the carrying oiit of its 
duties and responsibilities. 
SEC. 5. There is authorized to be appropriated beginning with fiscal 
year 1980, $2,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act, which 
shall remain available until expended. 
Approved May 24, 1979. 
Advice from 
individuals and 
certain groups. 
Hearings. 
Information 
from other 
departments or 
agencies. 
Contracts with 
Federal and 
State agencies. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
29 u s e 1001 
note. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
SENATE REPORT: No. 96-70 (Comm. on Governmental Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Apr. 30, considered and passed Senate. 
May 14, considered and passed House.