Participant Rights

Employees participating in retirement and health benefit plans have several important rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Among them are the right to: disclosure of important plan information, a timely and fair process for benefit claims, elect to temporarily continue group health coverage after losing coverage, and recover benefits due under the plan.

It is important for employees and their families to know their benefit rights to make their benefits work for them.

Webpages on this Topic

Consumer Information on Health Plans
Provides fact sheets, booklets, and other health plan information from the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA
COBRA gives workers and their family members who lose their health benefits in certain circumstances the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their plan. This publication provides a detailed overview of the law.

Filing a Claim for Your Disability Benefits
Provides information to participants about how to file a claim for benefits and what to do if the claim is denied.

Filing a Claim for Your Health Benefits
Provides information to participants about how to file a claim for benefits and what to do if the claim is denied.

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.

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

Retirement and Health Care Coverage... Questions & Answers for Dislocated Workers
Provides answers to common questions asked by dislocated workers.

In Brief: Can the Retiree Health Benefits Provided by Your Employer Be Cut?
Provides retirees and current employees with tips for checking the documents that govern health care coverage during retirement.

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.

Women's Health & Cancer Rights Act: Questions & Answers (Español)
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about the enrollment and annual notice requirements under WHCRA.

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

Your Employer's Bankruptcy: How Will it Affect Your Employee Benefits?
Provides information about bankruptcy's effect on retirement plans and group health plans.

Frequently Asked Questions for Reservists Being Called to Active Duty Related to their Retirement and Health Benefits
Provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about retirement and health benefits by National Guard and reserve members being called to active duty.