U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Retirement Plans, Benefits & Savings

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Compliance Assistance Consumer Information on Pension Plans Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Fiduciary Responsibilities Participant Rights Plan Information Retirement Savings Small Business Pension Plan Options Types of Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans, Benefits & Savings

Participant Rights

Employees participating in retirement plans are granted several important rights by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Among them are the right to disclosure of important plan information and a timely and fair process for benefit claims. It is important for employees and their families to know their benefit rights to make their benefits work for them.

DOL Web Pages on This Topic

Consumer Information on Pension Plans
Publications and other materials providing information about your rights as pension plan participants under federal pension law.

How to File a Claim for Your Benefits
Explains the steps you may take to file a claim and what to do if you are denied benefits.

How to Obtain Employee Benefit Plan Documents from the Department of Labor
Describes the documents and materials available through the EBSA public disclosure room and how you can obtain the documents from them.

Pension and Health Care Coverage: Questions and Answers for Dislocated Workers
Provides answers to commonly asked questions from dislocated workers about their pension and health plan benefits.

Protect Your Pension: A Quick Reference Guide
Provides an overview of the federal rules that protect pension plans, including 10 warning signs that your 401(k) contributions are being misused.

What You Should Know About Your Pension Rights
Provides information to help answer many of the most common questions about pension plans.

Your Employer's Bankruptcy: How Will it Affect Your Employee Benefit?
Provides information on bankruptcy’s effect on pension plans and group health plans.

Top 10 Ways to Make Your Health Benefits Work for You (Español)
Provides 10 tips to help make your health benefits work better for you.

Work Changes Require Health Choices (Español)
Provides information on making health care decisions when your work life changes.

Life Changes Require Health Choices (Español)
Provides guidance on making health benefit decisions following key life events such as marriage or the birth or adoption of a child.

Frequently Asked Questions for Participants & Beneficiaries Related to the Events of September 11th
Provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by workers and their families whose pension and/or health plan benefits were impacted by the events of September 11, 2001.

Frequently Asked Questions for Reservists Being Called to Active Duty Related to their Pension and Health Benefits
Provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about pension and health plan benefits by National Guard and reserve members being called to active duty as a result of the events of September 11, 2001.