However, not all retirement plans are covered by ERISA. For example, Federal, state, or local government plans and some church plans are not covered.
H. SECURE 2.0 provided new rules governing regular catch-up contributions to certain qualified plans, including 401(a) plans (including Non-Electing Church Plans) and 403(b) plans. Under prior law, catch-up contributions to 403(b) plans could be made on a pre-tax or Roth basis.
Church plans are not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requirements unless the church plan elects to be subject to ERISA. IRC 410(d) permits church plans to make an irrevocable election to be covered by ERISA (and certain IRC) requirements.
Anyone who works for a private-sector organization which sponsors retirement benefits such as pension plan or a 401(k) plan (or 403(b) for non-profits) receives an ERISA-governed benefit that becomes vested; i.e., non-forfeitable so long as the employee works for the employer for a sufficient number of years.
The primary responsibility of fiduciaries is to run the plan solely in the interest of participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits and paying plan expenses. Fiduciaries must act prudently and must diversify the plan's investments in order to minimize the risk of large losses.
What Plans Are Subject to ERISA? Long-term disability. Short-term disability. Life insurance. Health insurance. Long-term health care. Pensions. 401(k)s. Deferred compensation plans.
In general, ERISA does not cover plans established or maintained by governmental entities, churches for their employees, or plans which are maintained solely to comply with applicable workers compensation, unemployment or disability laws.
Definition of Church Plan Unless they make an election to be covered, church plans are exempt from Title I and Title IV of ERISA and from several provisions applicable to tax-qualified plans. ERISA §§ 4(b) (2), 4021(b)(3) (29 U.S.C.
Contact your regional EBSA office to file a complaint or an appeal after exhausting your insurance appeals process. You can also find ERISA information through the U.S. Department of Labor online at .dol/ebsa.
Basic ERISA compliance requires employers provide notice to participants about plan information, their rights under the plan, and how the plan is funded. This includes ensuring plans comply with ERISA's minimum standards, recordkeeping, annual filing and reporting, and fiduciary compliance.