Generally, any investment a plan makes is considered "plan assets. ERISA is a federal law that sets minimum standards for retirement plans in private industry.These General Investment Policies are intended to provide a framework for the operation of the New York State. ERISA is a US federal statute which regulates, among other things, the management and investment of assets of employee benefit plans. As a result, many private equity funds seek ERISA investors. 401(k) plan fiduciaries have been reluctant to include Private Market Investments in a plan's investment lineup due to legal and operational concerns. 'Stock Drop' Cases Rejected" in the New York Law Journal. The panel will particularly focus on the duty to avoid prohibited transactions. An undivided interest in the entity's underlying assets. Investments itemized in the laws of New York State.