Brief Case
Pension Resource

ERISA § 102 (29 U.S.C. § 1022)

Summary plan description
USC 1997 ed., current through 1998-01-26 · superseded Feb 1, 2010 · last amended by Pub. L. 105-34
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(a) A summary plan description of any employee benefit plan shall be furnished to participants and beneficiaries as provided in section 1024(b) of this title. The summary plan description shall include the information described in subsection (b) of this section, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average plan participant, and shall be sufficiently accurate and comprehensive to reasonably apprise such participants and beneficiaries of their rights and obligations under the plan. A summary of any material modification in the terms of the plan and any change in the information required under subsection (b) of this section shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average plan participant and shall be furnished in accordance with section 1024(b)(1) of this title.
(b) The summary plan description shall contain the following information: The name and type of administration of the plan; in the case of a group health plan (as defined in section 1191b(a)(1) of this title), whether a health insurance issuer (as defined in section 1191b(b)(2) of this title) is responsible for the financing or administration (including payment of claims) of the plan and (if so) the name and address of such issuer; the name and address of the person designated as agent for the service of legal process, if such person is not the administrator; the name and address of the administrator; names, titles, and addresses of any trustee or trustees (if they are persons different from the administrator); a description of the relevant provisions of any applicable collective bargaining agreement; the plan's requirements respecting eligibility for participation and benefits; a description of the provisions providing for nonforfeitable pension benefits; circumstances which may result in disqualification, ineligibility, or denial or loss of benefits; the source of financing of the plan and the identity of any organization through which benefits are provided; the date of the end of the plan year and whether the records of the plan are kept on a calendar, policy, or fiscal year basis; the procedures to be followed in presenting claims for benefits under the plan including the office at the Department of Labor through which participants and beneficiaries may seek assistance or information regarding their rights under this chapter and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 with respect to health benefits that are offered through a group health plan (as defined in section 1191b(a)(1) of this title) and the remedies available under the plan for the redress of claims which are denied in whole or in part (including procedures required under section 1133 of this title).
Source credit, amendments & notes

(Pub. L. 93–406, title I, §102, Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 841; Pub. L. 104–191, title I, §101(c)(2), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1951; Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, §603(b)(3)(C), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2938; Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, §1503(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1061.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 93–406, known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Titles I, III, and IV of such Act are classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of this title and Tables.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 104–191, Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1936. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1996 Amendment note set out under section 201 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and Tables.

Amendments

1997—Pub. L. 105–34, §1503(b)(2)(B), substituted “Summary plan description” for “Plan description and summary plan description” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–34, §1503(b)(1), struck out “(1)” after subsec. designation and struck out par. (2) which read as follows: “A plan description (containing the information required by subsection (b) of this section) of any employee benefit plan shall be prepared on forms prescribed by the Secretary, and shall be filed with the Secretary as required by section 1024(a)(1) of this title. Any material modification in the terms of the plan and any change in the information described in subsection (b) of this section shall be filed in accordance with section 1024(a)(1)(D) of this title.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–34, §1503(b)(2)(A), substituted “The summary plan description shall contain” for “The plan description and summary plan description shall contain”.

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–204 made technical amendment to references in original act which appear in text as references to section 1191b of this title.

Pub. L. 104–191 inserted “in the case of a group health plan (as defined in section 1191b(a)(1) of this title), whether a health insurance issuer (as defined in section 1191b(b)(2) of this title) is responsible for the financing or administration (including payment of claims) of the plan and (if so) the name and address of such issuer;” after “type of administration of the plan;” and “including the office at the Department of Labor through which participants and beneficiaries may seek assistance or information regarding their rights under this chapter and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 with respect to health benefits that are offered through a group health plan (as defined in section 1191b(a)(1) of this title)” after “presenting claims for benefits under the plan”.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–204 applicable with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1998, see section 603(c) of Pub. L. 104–204 set out as a note under section 1003 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–191 applicable with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning after June 30, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 101(g) of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1181 of this title.

Regulations

Secretary authorized, effective Sept. 2, 1974, to promulgate regulations wherever provisions of this subchapter call for the promulgation of regulations, see section 1031 of this title.

ERISA § 102 (29 U.S.C. § 1022) — Summary plan description · USC 1997 ed., current through 1998-01-26 · https://pensionresource.website/EAMain?content=EAMain.Law&id=usc29-1022&asof=1998-01-26 · printed Oct 16, 2026
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  • (a) (a) A summary plan description of any employee benefit plan…
  • (b) (b) The summary plan description shall contain the followin…
Cited by (code & regs)
Department of Labor Regulations
Guidance addressing this section
Department of Labor (EBSA)
Proposed Rules
  • 89 FR 5624Proposed Jan 29, 2024 — Automatic Portability Transaction Regulations Comments due Mar 29, 2024
  • 75 FR 65263Proposed Oct 22, 2010 — Definition of the Term “Fiduciary” Comments due Jan 20, 2011
IRS / Treasury
Proposed Rules
  • 79 FR 78578Proposed Dec 30, 2014 — Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary Comments due Mar 2, 2015
  • 76 FR 52442Proposed Aug 22, 2011 — Summary of Benefits and Coverage and the Uniform Glossary Comments due Oct 21, 2011
Final Rules
  • 77 FR 8668 Feb 14, 2012 — Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary
Also cited in 107 other documents
Department of Labor (EBSA)
Proposed Rules
  • 91 FR 46602Proposed Jul 23, 2026 — Electronic Disclosure by Group Health Plans Under ERISA Comments due Sep 21, 2026
  • 91 FR 16088Proposed Mar 31, 2026 — Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives Comments due Jun 1, 2026
  • 91 FR 9213Proposed Feb 25, 2026 — Requirement To Provide Paper Statements in Certain Cases-Amendments to Electronic Disclosure Safe Harbors Comments due Apr 27, 2026
  • 91 FR 4348Proposed Jan 30, 2026 — Improving Transparency Into Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fee Disclosure Comments due Mar 31, 2026
  • 88 FR 87968Proposed Dec 20, 2023 — Definition of “Employer”-Association Health Plans Comments due Feb 20, 2024
  • 88 FR 75890Proposed Nov 3, 2023 — Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary Comments due Jan 2, 2024
  • 87 FR 45204Proposed Jul 27, 2022 — Proposed Amendment to Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 (the QPAM Exemption) Comments due Sep 26, 2022
  • 87 FR 14722Proposed Mar 15, 2022 — Procedures Governing the Filing and Processing of Prohibited Transaction Exemption Applications Comments due Apr 14, 2022
  • 86 FR 57272Proposed Oct 14, 2021 — Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights Comments due Dec 13, 2021
  • 86 FR 51284Proposed Sep 15, 2021 — Annual Reporting and Disclosure Comments due Nov 1, 2021
  • 85 FR 55219Proposed Sep 4, 2020 — Fiduciary Duties Regarding Proxy Voting and Shareholder Rights Comments due Oct 5, 2020
  • 85 FR 54288Proposed Sep 1, 2020 — Registration Requirements for Pooled Plan Providers Comments due Oct 1, 2020
  • 85 FR 39113Proposed Jun 30, 2020 — Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments Comments due Jul 30, 2020
  • 84 FR 56894Proposed Oct 23, 2019 — Default Electronic Disclosure by Employee Pension Benefit Plans Under ERISA Comments due Nov 22, 2019 (b)
  • 83 FR 53534Proposed Oct 23, 2018 — Definition of “Employer” Under Section 3(5) of ERISA-Association Retirement Plans and Other Multiple-Employer Plans Comments due Dec 24, 2018
  • 83 FR 614Proposed Jan 5, 2018 — Definition of “Employer” Under Section 3(5) of ERISA-Association Health Plans Comments due Mar 6, 2018
  • 82 FR 12319Proposed Mar 2, 2017 — Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice; Best Interest Contract Exemption (Prohibited Transaction Exemption … Comments due Mar 17, 2017
  • 82 FR 7336Proposed Jan 19, 2017 — Proposed Best Interest Contract Exemption for Insurance Intermediaries (a)
  • 81 FR 59581Proposed Aug 30, 2016 — Savings Arrangements Established by State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees Comments due Sep 29, 2016
  • 81 FR 47534Proposed Jul 21, 2016 — Proposed Revision of Annual Information Return/Reports Comments due Oct 4, 2016
  • 81 FR 47496Proposed Jul 21, 2016 — Annual Reporting and Disclosure Comments due Oct 4, 2016
  • 80 FR 72006Proposed Nov 18, 2015 — Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees Comments due Jan 19, 2016
  • 80 FR 34869Proposed Jun 18, 2015 — Hearing on Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice and Related Proposed Prohibited Transaction Exemptions Comments due Jul 21, 2015
  • 80 FR 21928Proposed Apr 20, 2015 — Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice Comments due Jul 6, 2015
  • 79 FR 58720Proposed Sep 30, 2014 — Electronic Filing of Notices for Apprenticeship and Training Plans and Statements for Pension Plans for Certain Select Employees Comments due Dec 29, 2014
  • 79 FR 13949Proposed Mar 12, 2014 — Amendment Relating to Reasonable Contract or Arrangement Under Section 408(b)(2)-Fee Disclosure Comments due Jun 10, 2014
  • 78 FR 26727Proposed May 8, 2013 — Pension Benefit Statements Comments due Jul 8, 2013
  • 77 FR 74063Proposed Dec 12, 2012 — Amendments to the Abandoned Plan Regulations Comments due Feb 11, 2013
  • 76 FR 76222Proposed Dec 6, 2011 — Filings Required of Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements and Certain Other Related Entities Comments due Mar 5, 2012
  • 76 FR 31544Proposed Jun 1, 2011 — Requirements for Fee Disclosure to Plan Fiduciaries and Participants-Applicability Dates Comments due Jun 15, 2011
  • 75 FR 73987Proposed Nov 30, 2010 — Target Date Disclosure Comments due Jan 14, 2011
  • 75 FR 70625Proposed Nov 18, 2010 — Annual Funding Notice for Defined Benefit Plans Comments due Jan 18, 2011
  • 75 FR 53172Proposed Aug 30, 2010 — Prohibited Transaction Exemption Procedures; Employee Benefit Plans Comments due Oct 14, 2010
  • 75 FR 9360Proposed Mar 2, 2010 — Investment Advice-Participants and Beneficiaries Comments due May 5, 2010
Final Rules
  • 91 FR 13503 Mar 20, 2026 — Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary: Notice of Court Vacatur
  • 90 FR 28009 Jul 1, 2025 — Removal of Definition of “Plan Assets”-Insurance Company General Accounts
  • 90 FR 28007 Jul 1, 2025 — Selection of Annuity Providers-Safe Harbor for Individual Account Plans
  • 90 FR 3667 Jan 15, 2025 — Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 2002-51 To Permit Certain Transactions Identified in the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (c)(2)
  • 89 FR 65779 Aug 13, 2024 — Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 for Transactions Determined by Independent Qualified Professional Asset Managers (the QPAM Exemption); Correction
  • 89 FR 43675 May 17, 2024 — Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2006-06 for Services Provided in Connection With the Termination of Abandoned Individual Account Plans
  • 89 FR 43636 May 17, 2024 — Abandoned Plan Regulations
  • 89 FR 34106 Apr 30, 2024 — Definition of “Employer”-Association Health Plans
  • 89 FR 32122 Apr 25, 2024 — Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary
  • 89 FR 23090 Apr 3, 2024 — Amendment to Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 for Transactions Determined by Independent Qualified Professional Asset Managers (the QPAM Exemption)
  • 89 FR 4662 Jan 24, 2024 — Procedures Governing the Filing and Processing of Prohibited Transaction Exemption Applications
  • 88 FR 31608 May 18, 2023 — Annual Reporting and Disclosure
  • 88 FR 11793 Feb 24, 2023 — Annual Reporting and Disclosure
  • 87 FR 73822 Dec 1, 2022 — Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights
  • 85 FR 81658 Dec 16, 2020 — Fiduciary Duties Regarding Proxy Voting and Shareholder Rights
  • 85 FR 72934 Nov 16, 2020 — Registration Requirements for Pooled Plan Providers
  • 85 FR 72846 Nov 13, 2020 — Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments
  • 85 FR 59132 Sep 18, 2020 — Pension Benefit Statements-Lifetime Income Illustrations
  • 85 FR 40589 Jul 7, 2020 — Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice: Notice of Court Vacatur
  • 85 FR 31884 May 27, 2020 — Default Electronic Disclosure by Employee Pension Benefit Plans Under ERISA (a)(b)
  • 84 FR 37508 Jul 31, 2019 — Definition of “Employer” Under Section 3(5) of ERISA-Association Retirement Plans and Other Multiple-Employer Plans
  • 84 FR 27952 Jun 17, 2019 — Electronic Filing of Notices for Apprenticeship and Training Plans and Statements for Pension Plans for Certain Select Employees
  • 83 FR 28912 Jun 21, 2018 — Definition of “Employer” Under Section 3(5) of ERISA-Association Health Plans (j)(3)
  • 82 FR 29236 Jun 28, 2017 — Definition of Employee Pension Benefit Plan Under ERISA
  • 82 FR 16902 Apr 7, 2017 — Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice; Best Interest Contract Exemption (Prohibited Transaction Exemption …
  • 81 FR 92639 Dec 20, 2016 — Savings Arrangements Established by Qualified State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees
  • 81 FR 92316 Dec 19, 2016 — Claims Procedure for Plans Providing Disability Benefits (c)
  • 81 FR 59464 Aug 30, 2016 — Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees
  • 81 FR 43430 Jul 1, 2016 — Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Catch-Up Adjustments (b)(2)(b)(6)(B)
  • 81 FR 21208 Apr 8, 2016 — Amendments to Class Exemptions 75-1, 77-4, 80-83 and 83-1 (a)
  • 81 FR 21181 Apr 8, 2016 — Amendment to and Partial Revocation of Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 86-128 for Securities Transactions Involving Employee Benefit Plans and Broker-De… (a)
  • 81 FR 21147 Apr 8, 2016 — Amendment to and Partial Revocation of Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 84-24 for Certain Transactions Involving Insurance Agents and Brokers, Pension Co… (a)
  • 81 FR 21139 Apr 8, 2016 — Amendment to Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 75-1, Part V, Exemptions From Prohibitions Respecting Certain Classes of Transactions Involving Employee Be… (a)
  • 81 FR 21089 Apr 8, 2016 — Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs (a)
  • 81 FR 21002 Apr 8, 2016 — Best Interest Contract Exemption (a)
  • 81 FR 20946 Apr 8, 2016 — Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice (a)
  • 80 FR 14301 Mar 19, 2015 — Fiduciary Requirements for Disclosure in Participant-Directed Individual Account Plans-Timing of Annual Disclosure
  • 80 FR 5626 Feb 2, 2015 — Annual Funding Notice for Defined Benefit Plans
  • 79 FR 66617 Nov 10, 2014 — Revisions to Annual Return/Report-Multiple-Employer Plans (b)(4)
  • 78 FR 13781 Mar 1, 2013 — Filings Required of Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements and Certain Other Related Entities
  • 77 FR 41678 Jul 16, 2012 — Amendment Relating to Reasonable Contract or Arrangement Under Section 408(b)(2)-Fee Disclosure/Web Page
  • 77 FR 5632 Feb 3, 2012 — Reasonable Contract or Arrangement Under Section 408(b)(2)-Fee Disclosure
  • 76 FR 66637 Oct 27, 2011 — Prohibited Transaction Exemption Procedures; Employee Benefit Plans
  • 76 FR 66136 Oct 25, 2011 — Investment Advice-Participants and Beneficiaries
  • 76 FR 42539 Jul 19, 2011 — Requirements for Fee Disclosure to Plan Fiduciaries and Participants-Applicability Dates
  • 75 FR 64910 Oct 20, 2010 — Fiduciary Requirements for Disclosure in Participant-Directed Individual Account Plans
  • 75 FR 41600 Jul 16, 2010 — Reasonable Contract or Arrangement Under Section 408(b)(2)-Fee Disclosure
  • 75 FR 9334 Mar 2, 2010 — Multiemployer Pension Plan Information Made Available on Request
  • 75 FR 8796 Feb 26, 2010 — Civil Penalties Under ERISA Section 502(c)(8) (b)(1)(C)
  • 75 FR 2068 Jan 14, 2010 — Definition of “Plan Assets”-Participant Contributions
Technical Releases
  • TR 2011-03R Dec 8, 2011 — Technical Release 2011-03R
  • TR 2011-03 Sep 13, 2011 — Technical Release 2011-03
Information Letters
  • DOL Info. Ltr. 02-27-2019 — Application of the authorized representative provisions of 29 CFR 2560.503-1, regarding the designation of an authorized representative for the initial claim f… (s)
IRS / Treasury
Proposed Rules
  • 91 FR 27140Proposed May 13, 2026 — Excepted Fertility Benefits Comments due Jul 13, 2026 (j)(2)
  • 89 FR 4215Proposed Jan 23, 2024 — Request for Information-SECURE 2.0 Section 319-Effectiveness of Reporting and Disclosure Requirements Comments due Apr 22, 2024 (a)(c)
  • 88 FR 51552Proposed Aug 3, 2023 — Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Comments due Oct 2, 2023 (a)
  • 88 FR 7236Proposed Feb 2, 2023 — Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act Comments due Apr 3, 2023
  • 84 FR 65464Proposed Nov 27, 2019 — Transparency in Coverage Comments due Jan 14, 2020 (a)
  • 83 FR 54420Proposed Oct 29, 2018 — Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Other Account-Based Group Health Plans Comments due Dec 28, 2018
Final Rules
  • 85 FR 81097 Dec 15, 2020 — Grandfathered Group Health Plans and Grandfathered Group Health Insurance Coverage
  • 85 FR 72158 Nov 12, 2020 — Transparency in Coverage (a)
  • 84 FR 28888 Jun 20, 2019 — Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Other Account-Based Group Health Plans (c)(j)(2)
  • 83 FR 57592 Nov 15, 2018 — Moral Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act
  • 83 FR 57536 Nov 15, 2018 — Religious Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act
  • 82 FR 47838 Oct 13, 2017 — Moral Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act
  • 82 FR 47792 Oct 13, 2017 — Religious Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act
  • 81 FR 25540 Apr 28, 2016 — Suspension of Benefits Under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014
  • 80 FR 34292 Jun 16, 2015 — Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary
  • 78 FR 68240 Nov 13, 2013 — Final Rules Under the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008; Technical Amendment to External Review for Multi-… (j)(2)
  • 76 FR 37208 Jun 24, 2011 — Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers: Rules Relating to Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review Processes (c)
  • 75 FR 43330 Jul 23, 2010 — Interim Final Rules for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Relating to Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review Processes Under the Patient… (c)
Revenue Procedures
  • Rev. Proc. 2016-27 May 9, 2016 — This revenue procedure contains revised procedures for applications for a suspension of benefits under a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan that is in …
  • Rev. Proc. 2015-34 Jul 6, 2015 — This revenue procedure prescribes the application process for proposed suspensions of benefits for certain multiemployer defined benefit pension plans that are…
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Each row is a version of the text as published by the official source. Code dates are the edition/release point that first reflected the change; regulation dates are eCFR effective dates. The library checks the official sources automatically, so new versions appear here on their own; “run” opens the sync that recorded a version.

EffectiveThroughSourceAmended by
Jan 4, 1995Jan 5, 1997USC 1994 ed., current through 1995-01-04 run 49Pub. L. 93-406View
Jan 6, 1997Jan 25, 1998USC 1996 ed., current through 1997-01-06 run 59Pub. L. 104-204View · Redline (sign in)
Jan 26, 1998Jan 31, 2010USC 1997 ed., current through 1998-01-26 run 62Pub. L. 105-34View · Redline (sign in)
Feb 1, 2010Jan 5, 2017USC 2013 ed., current through 2014-01-16 run 13Pub. L. 111-3View · Redline (sign in)
Jan 6, 2017currentUSC 2024 ed., current through 2025-01-06 run 1Pub. L. 111-3View · Redline (sign in)
Provision-level history (blame)