ERISA

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for employee benefit plans maintained by private-sector employers.  ERISA includes requirements for both retirement plans (for example, 401(k) plans) and welfare benefit plans (for example, group health plans).  ERISA has been amended many times over the years, expanding the protections available to welfare benefit plan participants and beneficiaries.  

The Department of Labor (DOL), through its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), enforces most of ERISA's provisions.  Violating ERISA can have serious and costly consequences for employers that sponsor welfare benefit plans, either through DOL enforcement actions and penatly assessment or through participant law suits.  

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