In this essential episode, host Ryan Kleber sits down with Dennis R. Johnson, Fund Attorney for Local 502, to demystify the legal and financial frameworks that protect your paycheck, your pension, and your health coverage.
From understanding ERISA and rising healthcare costs to safeguarding your benefits through strategic legal action, this episode is a must-watch for any union member who wants to know where their money goes — and how it’s protected.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ What exactly a Fund Attorney does (compliance, recovery, vendor negotiations & more)
✅ A simple breakdown of ERISA and how it legally secures your retirement & health benefits
✅ Why healthcare inflation (7%+ annually) is the biggest threat to your fund’s stability
✅ How self-insurance helps unions save members money long-term
✅ The math behind a fully-funded pension plan and what makes it sustainable for life
✅ The delinquency recovery process when employers fail to pay their fair share
✅ Tax advantages of Traditional 401(k) vs. Roth options
✅ Why cybersecurity threats are the newest danger to your fund’s assets — and what protections are in place
👨⚖️ About Our Guest: Dennis R. Johnson, Esq.
Dennis Johnson is a seasoned Fund Counsel and Managing Partner at Johnson & Krol, LLC, a law firm nationally recognized for its expertise in labor law and ERISA compliance. With over 25 years of legal experience serving union clients across multiple states, Dennis has become a trusted advisor to dozens of labor organizations, including Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 502.
He specializes in multiemployer benefit fund representation, including pension, health & welfare, 401(k), vacation, and apprenticeship training funds. Dennis routinely handles matters involving plan compliance, vendor negotiations, audits, contribution collection, fiduciary counsel, and legal actions to protect union members’ benefits.
A graduate of University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Dennis is not only an attorney but a passionate advocate for union families and workers’ rights. His extensive knowledge of ERISA law, Department of Labor regulations, and financial sustainability of benefit plans makes him one of the most vital voices in the world of union protections.
🔔 Don’t Forget:
📬 Got a question or topic you want covered? Drop it in the comments or email us—we’re building future episodes around what matters most to our members!