1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 95-926 EPWUpdated January 15, 2004Regulating Private Pensions:A Brief Summary of ERISAPatrick PurcellSpecialist in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryThe Employee
2、Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA, P.L. 93-406)protectstheinterestsofparticipantsandbeneficiariesinprivate-sectoremployeebenefitplans. Itwaspassedinresponsetoinstancesinwhichemployershadfailedtoprudentlymanagepensionfunds,hadterminatedpensionplanswithoutsufficientassetstopaythebenefits e
3、mployees had earned, or had created impediments to earning a pension, suchas onerous age and service requirements. ERISA covers a number of fringe benefitsprovided by employers, but most of its provisions deal with pension plans. Pensionplans sponsored by the federal, state, and local governments, o
4、r by churches generallyare exempt from ERISA. (This report will be updated for amendments to ERISA.)Minimum Standards. ERISA does not require employers to provide pensions,but those that do must meet minimum standards in regard to who can participate, howlong a person has to work to be entitled to a
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