Toolkit

ERISA

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) introduced the concept of fiduciary responsibility for those overseeing and dealing with private employee benefit plans. A key goal of ERISA was to define a unified set of federal laws governing retirement and health plans in the private sector. Employers and plan sponsors can find compliance support in the following resources.

Conferences

Washington Legislative Update

May 6 - 7, 2024 | Washington, DC

Join us Washington Legislative Update this May to keep up with the latest regulatory and legislative initiatives impacting employee benefits.

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E-Learning

ERISA

Stay ahead of the complexities of employee benefit plan compliance with the ERISA eLearning course. This comprehensive program covers essential aspects of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including its history, oversight by the IRS and DOL, and how it applies to different types of benefit plans such as retirement, health, and welfare benefits. With a focus on key compliance issues like reporting requirements, fiduciary duties, and plan funding, this course offers interactive lessons and practical knowledge. Perfect for HR professionals, benefits managers, and administrators, it provides the tools needed to ensure compliance and mitigate risks in plan administration.

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Fiduciary Responsibility for ERISA Plans

The Fiduciary Responsibility for ERISA Plans eLearning course from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) provides an in-depth look at fiduciary duties in managing employee benefit plans. This course helps professionals understand their legal obligations under ERISA, focusing on the key fiduciary duties such as loyalty, prudence, and disclosure. It also explores how to navigate the responsibilities of plan sponsors and trustees, ensuring compliance with regulations to avoid potential liabilities. With practical insights on delegation, service providers, and penalties, this course equips participants to uphold their fiduciary duties effectively.

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Blogs

Articles

A bunch of gray arrows all pointing in one direction, and one yellow arrow pointing the opposite direction

Flip the Script: Turn DOL Audits Into Your Seal of Approval

Benefits Magazine September/October 2025

Employee benefit plan trustees and administrators could view a Department of Labor (DOL) audit as an opportunity to demonstrate adherence to fiduciary standards. This article identifies key steps in preparing for a compliance audit.

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Going Above and Beyond: ERISA Disclosure

Benefits Magazine, January/February 2024

ERISA sets out disclosure requirements for employee benefit plan fiduciaries, but multiple court decisions demonstrate that fiduciaries may need to go above and beyond those requirements when providing notices and benefits information to plan participants. Following these steps can help plan fiduciaries ensure that disclosures meet ERISA requirements. Provide legally and factually accurate communications at all times, make sure all communications are understandable to the average participant, consider whether additional information is appropriate given a participant's unique circumstances, and advise affected participants about benefit changes under serious consideration.

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The Who, When and Why of Independent Fiduciaries

Benefits Magazine, May/June 2023

Employee benefit plan sponsors may need to hire an independent fiduciary in certain situations in order to avoid conflicts of interest and prohibited transactions under ERISA. What types of firms serve as independent fiduciary service providers? Typically, independent fiduciaries are banks, trust companies and registered investment advisors (RIAs), third-party administrators (TPAs) or law firms. Different types of conflicts require different kinds of independent fiduciaries, and plan sponsors should carefully consider a firm’s qualifications and expertise when selecting an appropriate independent fiduciary.

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