29 U.S.C. § 1143 — Research, studies, and reports

(a) Research and surveys. (1) The Secretary may conduct research and surveys and collect, compile, analyze, and publish data, information, and statistics about employee-benefit plans, including retirement, deferred-compensation, and welfare plans, and types of plans not covered by this chapter. (2) The Secretary is authorized and directed to study pension plans, including (A) this subchapter’s effects on their provisions and costs; (B) private pensions’ role in the Nation’s economic security; and (C) how private pension plans operate, including benefit types and levels, reciprocity or portability, financial and actuarial features and practices, and ways to encourage growth of private pensions. (3) The Secretary may conduct other studies about employee-benefit plans, matters regulated by this subchapter, and its enforcement procedures when appropriate or necessary. (4) The Secretary may conduct this research directly or through grants or contracts. (b) Omitted. (c) Cooperation with Congress. The Secretary is authorized and directed to cooperate with Congress and its appropriate committees, subcommittees, and staff by supplying data, other information, personnel, and services needed for congressional studies, examinations, or reports about pension-benefit plans established or maintained by States or their political subdivisions.