ERISA
Quick Definition
Federal law that sets minimum standards for employee benefit plans, including pensions and health insurance, to protect plan participants.
Key Takeaways
- Sets minimum standards for private-sector retirement and health benefit plans
- Requires plan fiduciaries to act prudently and in participants' best interests
- Created the PBGC to insure defined benefit pension plans
- Gives participants the right to sue for benefits and fiduciary breaches
- Does not apply to government or church-sponsored plans
What Is ERISA?
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 is a federal law that establishes minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in the private sector. ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to manage plan assets prudently and in the best interest of participants, mandates disclosure of plan information, establishes grievance and appeals processes, and gives participants the right to sue for benefits and breaches of fiduciary duty. ERISA also created the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to insure defined benefit pension plans. The law applies to employer-sponsored plans but does not cover government or church plans.
ERISA Example
- 1Under ERISA, a company's 401(k) plan administrator has a fiduciary duty to select investment options that are in the best interest of plan participants.
- 2An employee filed a claim under ERISA after being denied pension benefits she was entitled to based on her years of service.
Related Terms
Fiduciary Duty
A legal obligation to act in the best interest of another party, placing their interests above one's own.
401(k)
An employer-sponsored retirement savings plan with tax advantages, often including employer matching contributions.
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
The primary U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating securities markets, protecting investors, and enforcing federal securities laws.
FDIC
Independent federal agency that insures bank deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, and supervises financial institutions for safety and soundness.
Insider Trading
The illegal practice of trading securities based on material, non-public information obtained through a position of trust or confidence.
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Regulatory requirement for financial institutions to verify the identity and assess the risk profile of their clients before and during business relationships.
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