Participant Rights

Employees participating in retirement plans have several important rights under 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.

Web Pages on This Topic

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

Filing a Claim for Your Retirement 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.

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

Ten Warning Signs that Your 401(k) Contributions are being Misused (PDF)

What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan (PDF) - Provides information to help answer many of the most common questions about retirement plans.

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

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

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 plan benefits by National Guard and reserve members being called to active duty.