I had a similar situation with my employer. I left the company taking a buyout package that included extended severance pay. At the end of the severance period, I was old enough to collect pension and get their retirees health insurance.

But the employee benefits office that handled pensions seemed over extended. They always up me off when I asked for information. "Wait until . . . " Then they almost missed the end date, and had to hurry up to get the papers done.

When companies go through changes and multiple downsizings, many ask for information on their pensions, but that specialized staff seems not to get expanded to handle the load.

Yes, your pension is protected by federal law, and you can always threaten to sue if they screw it up. Meanwhile, keep on it and hopefully they will make it right.