ERISA: Research Guide to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act

This guide provides a general overview of laws pertaining to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, otherwise known as ERISA.

It covers using general sources for background research and how to locate articles, textbooks, treatises, statutory law, administrative materials, agency publications, legislative histories and websites of interest. The guide can be used by students, faculty members, lawyers, and the general public.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) regulates employee benefits, including retirement and pension plans and health care, disability, accident and death benefits.  Though other federal laws affect employee benefits (e.g., the FMLA and COBRA), ERISA is the most significant federal statute regulating employee benefit plans.