A plan official must be bonded for at least 10% of the amount of funds handled, subject to a minimum bond amount of $1,000 per plan. In most instances, the maximum bond amount that can be required under ERISA with respect to any one plan official is $500,000 per plan.
Check Your Plan Documents: Review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or other documents. ERISA plans must provide an SPD that clearly states they are an ERISA plan. Look at Employer Contributions: If your employer contributes to the plan or matches your contributions, it's likely an ERISA plan.
ERISA applies to private-sector companies that offer pension plans to employees. This includes businesses that: Are structured as partnerships, proprietorships, LLCs, S-corporations, and C-corporations. No matter how your employer has structured his or her business, it is covered by ERISA if it is a private entity.
Check Your Plan Documents: Review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or other documents. ERISA plans must provide an SPD that clearly states they are an ERISA plan. Look at Employer Contributions: If your employer contributes to the plan or matches your contributions, it's likely an ERISA plan.
Plans that fall under ERISA include defined benefits and defined contributions plans, 401 plans(k), 413b plans, EPSOPs, or profit-sharing plans. ERISA also covers private health plans such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans.
ERISA requirements apply to all employer-based health plans, whether fully insured through a third party or self-funded. But, governmental plans offered by local, state, or federal governments are generally excepted from ERISA requirements.
ERISA plan is not subject to the strict ERISA fiduciary standards regarding exclusive benefits, prudent care, and diversification, but it is subject to state law and other standards.
If a plan administrator does not timely provide such documents, ERISA Section 502(c)(1) allows a participant or beneficiary to sue a plan administrator and allows courts to impose monetary penalties of up to $110 per day (beginning on the date of the failure or refusal).