Annual benefit statements (ERISA 105(a))

[lexi]

1) Can a plan administrator give employees a grid with their individual benefits and distribute the grid to everyone, so in effect, everyone's information would be on view for anyone to see?

2) Is there an easy way to find relevant DOL regs for a particular ERISA act section you are researching?

[Kirk Maldonado]

Lexi:

I think that there are privacy concerns associated with using a grid. I wouldn't recommend it.

Here is a website where all of the DOL regulations (at least the more recently issued ones) are located, but unfortunately, they are arranged in chronological sequence, which won't be of much use to you: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/regs/fedreg/final/main.htm.

You can also use the Code of Federal Regulations to find the regulations: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. The IRS regulations are Title 26 and the DOL regulations are Title 29.

RIA Checkpoint is expensive, but it is quick and very easy to use when you are searching for items like this. Their analysis is generally pretty good, they offer some newsletters, and even access to some online treatises for their subscription price. By the way, I have no connection with RIA, other than having used their service for 10 or 15 years (and been pleased with it).

[lexi]

Kirk, thanks so much for your help. Indeed, I had grave misgivings about the grid approach precisely because of privacy issues; you confirmed my suspicions. And thanks for the DOL regs information.

Lexi:

I think that there are privacy concerns associated with using a grid. I wouldn't recommend it.

Here is a website where all of the DOL regulations (at least the more recently issued ones) are located, but unfortunately, they are arranged in chronological sequence, which won't be of much use to you: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/regs/fedreg/final/main.htm.

You can also use the Code of Federal Regulations to find the regulations: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. The IRS regulations are Title 26 and the DOL regulations are Title 29.

RIA Checkpoint is expensive, but it is quick and very easy to use when you are searching for items like this. Their analysis is generally pretty good, they offer some newsletters, and even access to some online treatises for their subscription price. By the way, I have no connection with RIA, other than having used their service for 10 or 15 years (and been pleased with it).