When the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA" or "the Act") became law in 1974, it was codified as part of Title 29 of the United States Code. By that time Title 29 already contained the codified version of many other labor laws. (Title 29 section 1 was already "taken," for example.) So the Title 29 section numbers assigned to the provisions of ERISA do not line up with the section numbering in the original Act.

For example, the fiduciary duty provisions of ERISA section 404 are found in Title 29 section 1104. (Unfortunately the mismatch cannot be translated by simply adding 700 to the ERISA section number, though that's true for the fiduciary duty provisions.)

The following table shows the ERISA sections and their corresponding Title 29 section numbers.

TITLE 29 - LABOR (Current through Pub. L. 112-90, Jan. 3, 2012; source: Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute) CHAPTER 18 - EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY PROGRAM

SUBCHAPTER I - PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RIGHTS

SUBTITLE A - GENERAL PROVISIONS

ERISA 2	29 USC 1001	Congressional findings and declaration of policy.
[Not part of ERISA]	29 USC 1001a	Additional Congressional findings and declaration of policy.
[Not part of ERISA]	29 USC 1001b	Findings and declaration of policy.
ERISA 3	29 USC 1002	Definitions.
ERISA 4	29 USC 1003	Coverage.

SUBTITLE B - REGULATORY PROVISIONS

PART 1 - REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE

ERISA 101	29 USC 1021	Duty of disclosure and reporting.
ERISA 102	29 USC 1022	Summary plan description.
ERISA 103	29 USC 1023	Annual reports.
ERISA 104	29 USC 1024	Filing and furnishing of information.
ERISA 105	29 USC 1025	Reporting of participant's benefit rights.
ERISA 106	29 USC 1026	Reports made public information.
ERISA 107	29 USC 1027	Retention of records.
ERISA 108	29 USC 1028	Reliance on administrative interpretations.
ERISA 109	29 USC 1029	Forms.
ERISA 110	29 USC 1030	Alternative methods of compliance.
ERISA 111	29 USC 1031	Repeal and effective date.

PART 2 - PARTICIPATION AND VESTING

ERISA 201	29 USC 1051	Coverage.
ERISA 202	29 USC 1052	Minimum participation standards.
ERISA 203	29 USC 1053	Minimum vesting standards.
ERISA 204	29 USC 1054	Benefit accrual requirements.
ERISA 205	29 USC 1055	Requirement of joint and survivor annuity and preretirement survivor annuity.
ERISA 206	29 USC 1056	Form and payment of benefits.
ERISA 207	29 USC 1057	Repealed. Pub. L. 109-280, Title I, § 107(d), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 820.
ERISA 208	29 USC 1058	Mergers and consolidations of plans or transfers of plan assets.
ERISA 209	29 USC 1059	Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
ERISA 210	29 USC 1060	Multiple employer plans and other special rules.
ERISA 211	29 USC 1061	Effective dates.

PART 3 - FUNDING

ERISA 301	29 USC 1081	Coverage.
ERISA 302	29 USC 1082	Minimum funding standards.
ERISA 303	29 USC 1083	Minimum funding standards for single-employer defined benefit pension plans.
ERISA 304	29 USC 1084	Minimum funding standards for multiemployer plans.
ERISA 305	29 USC 1085	Additional funding rules for multiemployer plans in endangered status or critical status.
ERISA 306	29 USC 1085a	Repealed. Pub. L. 109-280, Title I, § 101(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 784.
ERISA 307	29 USC 1085b	Repealed. Pub. L. 109-280, Title I, § 101(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 784.
ERISA 308	29 USC 1086	Repealed. Pub. L. 109-280, Title I, § 101(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 784.

PART 4 - FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY

ERISA 401	29 USC 1101	Coverage.
ERISA 402	29 USC 1102	Establishment of plan.
ERISA 403	29 USC 1103	Establishment of trust.
ERISA 404	29 USC 1104	Fiduciary duties.
ERISA 405	29 USC 1105	Liability for breach of co-fiduciary.
ERISA 406	29 USC 1106	Prohibited transactions.
ERISA 407	29 USC 1107	Limitation with respect to acquisition and holding of employer securities and employer real property by certain plans.
ERISA 408	29 USC 1108	Exemptions from prohibited transactions.
ERISA 409	29 USC 1109	Liability for breach of fiduciary duty.
ERISA 410	29 USC 1110	Exculpatory provisions; insurance.
ERISA 411	29 USC 1111	Persons prohibited from holding certain positions.
ERISA 412	29 USC 1112	Bonding.
ERISA 413	29 USC 1113	Limitation of actions.
ERISA 414	29 USC 1114	Effective date.

PART 5 - ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

ERISA 501	29 USC 1131	Criminal penalties.
ERISA 502	29 USC 1132	Civil enforcement.
ERISA 503	29 USC 1133	Claims procedure.
ERISA 504	29 USC 1134	Investigative authority.
ERISA 505	29 USC 1135	Regulations.
ERISA 506	29 USC 1136	Coordination and responsibility of agencies enforcing this subchapter and related Federal laws.
ERISA 507	29 USC 1137	Administration.
ERISA 508	29 USC 1138	Appropriations.
ERISA 509	29 USC 1139	Separability.
ERISA 510	29 USC 1140	Interference with protected rights.
ERISA 511	29 USC 1141	Coercive interference.
ERISA 512	29 USC 1142	Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans.
ERISA 513	29 USC 1143	Research, studies, and reports.
[Not part of ERISA]	29 USC 1143a	Studies by Comptroller General.
ERISA 514	29 USC 1144	Other laws.
[Not part of ERISA]	29 USC 1144A	Clarification of church welfare plan status under State insurance law.
ERISA 515	29 USC 1145	Delinquent contributions.
ERISA 516	29 USC 1146	Outreach to promote retirement income savings.
ERISA 517	29 USC 1147	National Summit on Retirement Savings.
ERISA 518	29 USC 1148	Authority to postpone certain deadlines by reason of Presidentially declared disaster or terroristic or military actions.
ERISA 519	29 USC 1149	Prohibition on false statements and representations.
ERISA 520	29 USC 1150	Applicability of State law to combat fraud and abuse.
ERISA 521	29 USC 1151	Administrative summary cease and desist orders and summary seizure orders against multiple employer welfare arrangements in financially hazardous condition.

PART 6 - CONTINUATION COVERAGE AND ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR GROUP HEALTH PLANS

ERISA 601	29 USC 1161	Plans must provide continuation coverage to certain individuals.
ERISA 602	29 USC 1162	Continuation coverage.
ERISA 603	29 USC 1163	Qualifying event.
ERISA 604	29 USC 1164	Applicable premium.
ERISA 605	29 USC 1165	Election (a) In general. (a) Temporary extension of COBRA election period for certain individuals.
ERISA 606	29 USC 1166	Notice requirements.
ERISA 607	29 USC 1167	Definitions and special rules.
ERISA 608	29 USC 1168	Regulations.
ERISA 609	29 USC 1169	Additional standards for group health plans.

PART 7 - GROUP HEALTH PLAN REQUIREMENTS SUBPART A - REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO PORTABILITY, ACCESS, AND RENEWABILITY

ERISA 701	29 USC 1181	Increased portability through limitation on preexisting condition exclusions.
ERISA 702	29 USC 1182	Prohibiting discrimination against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status.
ERISA 703	29 USC 1183	Guaranteed renewability in multiemployer plans and multiple employer welfare arrangements.

SUBPART B - OTHER REQUIREMENTS

ERISA 711	29 USC 1185	Standards relating to benefits for mothers and newborns.
ERISA 712	29 USC 1185a	Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.
ERISA 713	29 USC 1185b	Required coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies.
ERISA 714	29 USC 1185c	Coverage of dependent students on medically necessary leave of absence.
ERISA 715	29 USC 1185d	Additional market reforms.

SUBPART C - GENERAL PROVISIONS

ERISA 731	29 USC 1191	Preemption; State flexibility; construction.
ERISA 732	29 USC 1191a	Special rules relating to group health plans.
ERISA 733	29 USC 1191b	Definitions.
ERISA 734	29 USC 1191c	Regulations.

SUBCHAPTER II - JURISDICTION, ADMINISTRATION, ENFORCEMENT; JOINT PENSION TASK FORCE, ETC.

SUBTITLE A - JURISDICTION, ADMINISTRATION, AND ENFORCEMENT

ERISA 3001	29 USC 1201	Procedures in connection with the issuance of certain determination letters by the Secretary of the Treasury covering qualifications under Internal Revenue Code.
ERISA 3002	29 USC 1202	Procedures with respect to continued compliance with Internal Revenue requirements relating to participation, vesting, and funding standards.
[Not part of ERISA]	29 USC 1202a	Employee plans compliance resolution system.
ERISA 3003	29 USC 1203	Procedures in connection with prohibited transactions.
ERISA 3004	29 USC 1204	Coordination between the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Labor.

SUBTITLE B - JOINT PENSION, PROFIT-SHARING, AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TASK FORCE; STUDIES

PART 1 - JOINT PENSION, PROFIT-SHARING, AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TASK FORCE
ERISA 3021	29 USC 1221	Establishment.
ERISA 3022	29 USC 1222	Duties.

PART 2 - OTHER STUDIES
ERISA 3031	29 USC 1231	Congressional study.
ERISA 3032	29 USC 1232	Protection for employees under Federal procurement, construction, and research contracts and grants.

SUBTITLE C - ENROLLMENT OF ACTUARIES
ERISA 3041	29 USC 1241	Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries.
ERISA 3042	29 USC 1242	Enrollment by Board; standards and qualifications; suspension or termination of enrollment.

SUBCHAPTER III - PLAN TERMINATION INSURANCE SUBTITLE A - PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

ERISA 4001	29 USC 1301	Definitions.
ERISA 4002	29 USC 1302	Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
ERISA 4003	29 USC 1303	Operation of corporation.
ERISA 4004	29 USC 1304	Repealed.
ERISA 4005	29 USC 1305	Pension benefit guaranty funds.
ERISA 4006	29 USC 1306	Premium rates.
ERISA 4007	29 USC 1307	Payment of premiums.
ERISA 4008	29 USC 1308	Annual report by the corporation.
ERISA 4009	29 USC 1309	Portability assistance.
ERISA 4010	29 USC 1310	Authority to require certain information.
ERISA 4011	29 USC 1311	Repealed. Pub. L. 109-280, Title V, § 501(b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 939.

SUBTITLE B - COVERAGE
ERISA 4021	29 USC 1321	Coverage.
ERISA 4022	29 USC 1322	Single-employer plan benefits guaranteed.
ERISA 4022A	29 USC 1322a	Multiemployer plan benefits guaranteed.
ERISA 4022B	29 USC 1322b	Aggregate limit on benefits guaranteed; criteria applicable.
ERISA 4023	29 USC 1323	Plan fiduciaries.

SUBTITLE C - TERMINATIONS

ERISA 4041	29 USC 1341	Termination of single-employer plans.
ERISA 4041A	29 USC 1341a	Termination of multiemployer plans.
ERISA 4042	29 USC 1342	Institution of termination proceedings by the corporation.
ERISA 4043	29 USC 1343	Reportable events.
ERISA 4044	29 USC 1344	Allocation of assets.
ERISA 4045	29 USC 1345	Recapture of payments.
ERISA 4046	29 USC 1346	Reports to trustee.
ERISA 4047	29 USC 1347	Restoration of plans.
ERISA 4048	29 USC 1348	Termination date.
ERISA 4049	29 USC 1349	Repealed.
ERISA 4050	29 USC 1350	Missing participants.

SUBTITLE D - LIABILITY

ERISA 4061	29 USC 1361	Amounts payable by corporation.
ERISA 4062	29 USC 1362	Liability for termination of single-employer plans under a distress termination or a termination by corporation.
ERISA 4063	29 USC 1363	Liability of substantial employer for withdrawal from single-employer plans under multiple controlled groups.
ERISA 4064	29 USC 1364	Liability on termination of single-employer plans under multiple controlled groups.
ERISA 4065	29 USC 1365	Annual report of plan administrator.
ERISA 4066	29 USC 1366	Annual notification to substantial employers.
ERISA 4067	29 USC 1367	Recovery of liability for plan termination.
ERISA 4068	29 USC 1368	Lien for liability.
ERISA 4069	29 USC 1369	Treatment of transactions to evade liability; effect of corporate reorganization.
ERISA 4070	29 USC 1370	Enforcement authority relating to terminations of single-employer plans.
ERISA 4071	29 USC 1371	Penalty for failure to timely provide required information.

SUBTITLE E - SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS PART 1 - EMPLOYER WITHDRAWALS

ERISA 4201	29 USC 1381	Withdrawal liability established; criteria and definitions.
ERISA 4202	29 USC 1382	Determination and collection of liability; notification of employer.
ERISA 4203	29 USC 1383	Complete withdrawal.
ERISA 4204	29 USC 1384	Sale of assets.
ERISA 4205	29 USC 1385	Partial withdrawals.
ERISA 4206	29 USC 1386	Adjustment for partial withdrawal; determination of amount; reduction for partial withdrawal liability; procedures applicable.
ERISA 4207	29 USC 1387	Reduction or waiver of complete withdrawal liability; procedures and standards applicable.
ERISA 4208	29 USC 1388	Reduction of partial withdrawal liability.
ERISA 4209	29 USC 1389	De minimis rule.
ERISA 4210	29 USC 1390	Nonapplicability of withdrawal liability for certain temporary contribution obligation periods; exception.
ERISA 4211	29 USC 1391	Methods for computing withdrawal liability.
ERISA 4212	29 USC 1392	Obligation to contribute.
ERISA 4213	29 USC 1393	Actuarial assumptions.
ERISA 4214	29 USC 1394	Application of plan amendments; exception.
ERISA 4215	29 USC 1395	Plan notification to corporation of potentially significant withdrawals.
ERISA 4216	29 USC 1396	Special rules for plans under section 404(c) of title 26.
ERISA 4217	29 USC 1397	Application of part in case of certain pre-1980 withdrawals; adjustment of covered plan.
ERISA 4218	29 USC 1398	Withdrawal not to occur because of change in business form or suspension of contributions during labor dispute.
ERISA 4219	29 USC 1399	Notice, collection, etc., of withdrawal liability.
ERISA 4220	29 USC 1400	Approval of amendments.
ERISA 4221	29 USC 1401	Resolution of disputes.
ERISA 4222	29 USC 1402	Reimbursements for uncollectible withdrawal liability.
ERISA 4223	29 USC 1403	Withdrawal liability payment fund.
ERISA 4224	29 USC 1404	Alternative method of withdrawal liability payments.
ERISA 4225	29 USC 1405	Limitation on withdrawal liability.

PART 2 - MERGER OR TRANSFER OF PLAN ASSETS OR LIABILITIES

ERISA 4231	29 USC 1411	Mergers and transfers between multiemployer plans.
ERISA 4232	29 USC 1412	Transfers between a multiemployer plan and a single-employer plan.
ERISA 4233	29 USC 1413	Partition.
ERISA 4234	29 USC 1414	Asset transfer rules.
ERISA 4235	29 USC 1415	Transfers pursuant to change in bargaining representative.

PART 3 - REORGANIZATION; MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT FOR MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS

ERISA 4241	29 USC 1421	Reorganization status.
ERISA 4242	29 USC 1422	Notice of reorganization and funding requirements.
ERISA 4243	29 USC 1423	Minimum contribution requirement.
ERISA 4244	29 USC 1424	Overburden credit against minimum contribution requirement.
ERISA 4244A	29 USC 1425	Adjustments in accrued benefits.
ERISA 4245	29 USC 1426	Insolvent plans.

PART 4 - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

ERISA 4261	29 USC 1431	Assistance by corporation.

PART 5 - BENEFITS AFTER TERMINATION

ERISA 4281	29 USC 1441	Benefits under certain terminated plans.

PART 6 - ENFORCEMENT

ERISA 4301	29 USC 1451	Civil actions.
ERISA 4302	29 USC 1452	Penalty for failure to provide notice.
ERISA 4303	29 USC 1453	Election of plan status.

SUBTITLE F - TRANSITION RULES AND EFFECTIVE DATES
ERISA 4402	29 USC 1461	Effective date; special rules.