{"id":352937,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/erisa-and-disability-benefits.html"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:05:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T20:05:59","slug":"erisa-and-disability-benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/erisa-and-disability-benefits.html","title":{"rendered":"ERISA and Disability Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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ERISA and Disability Benefits<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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ERISA<\/span>, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act<\/span> of 1974, is a federal law<\/span>. It requires that employee <\/span>benefit<\/span> plans<\/span> from private employers are clear, fair, and provide what they promise. This law includes disability <\/span>benefit<\/span> plans<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you get disability coverage<\/span> through an employer, you likely have protections under disability insurance laws<\/span>. They can be especially useful to know when you\u2019re starting the claim process<\/span> or dealing with a claim denial<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article explains how ERISA<\/span> affects insurance plans, including disability insurance policies<\/span>. It describes the basic duties of an employer and the disability <\/span>insurance company<\/span> that runs an ERISA<\/span>-governed plan<\/span>.<\/p>\n

ERISA<\/span> protects you legally, but it doesn\u2019t completely prevent insurance problems. You could still have difficulty accessing the benefits you are entitled to under your policy.<\/p>\n

A disability and ERISA<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a> can clarify how to claim benefits or appeal a denied claim<\/span>. In some cases, a disability attorney<\/span> may help you sue an insurance company<\/span> for bad faith<\/span> practices<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Does ERISA<\/span> Apply to Disability Insurance?<\/h2>\n

Yes, ERISA<\/span> governs private employer-sponsored<\/span> disability insurance plans<\/span>. It doesn\u2019t apply to government employers or church plans<\/span>. Individual disability plans are also non-<\/span>ERISA<\/span>.<\/p>\n

ERISA<\/span> sets the rules<\/a> for many employee <\/span>benefit<\/span> plans<\/span>. It ensures that these plans, from health benefits to\u00a0retirement plans<\/span><\/a>, are managed well and that the beneficiaries using them are informed and protected.<\/p>\n

Confusion is also common between disability insurance and workers’ compensation<\/a>. While disability insurance helps when you’re sick or injured, workers’ compensation is specifically for job-related injuries. ERISA<\/span> does not directly regulate workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated system, and each state has its own laws and regulations regarding workers’ compensation benefits.<\/p>\n

Different Insurance Types Under ERISA<\/span><\/h2>\n

While ERISA<\/span> covers retirement plans<\/span>, it’s more than just pension plans. It covers a range of benefit plans<\/span>, including the following.<\/p>\n

Health Plans<\/h3>\n

Health plans, or health insurance, act like a protective shield when you get sick. They help pay for doctor visits, medicines, and even things like mental health support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ERISA<\/span> makes sure these plans are fair. ERISA<\/span> sets minimum standards, ensuring your health plans offer a basic level of care. If you ever think your plan isn’t holding up its end of the deal, ERISA<\/span> guides the appeals process<\/span>, allowing you, the claimant<\/span>, to challenge decisions you don’t agree with.<\/p>\n

Life Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n

Imagine having a safety net for your loved ones if something happens to you. That’s what\u00a0life insurance<\/span><\/a>\u00a0does. It ensures your family or the people you care about get financial help.<\/p>\n

ERISA<\/span> ensures that life insurance<\/span> plans provided by employers are clear about their rules, which are written in a plan document, and are fair to everyone. You can be confident that these insurance plans must closely adhere to state laws<\/span> and the United States Code.<\/p>\n

Disability Insurance<\/h3>\n

Unexpected events, like injuries or illnesses, can stop you from working. Even pregnancy can cause disability<\/a> if complications arise and you can\u2019t keep working.\u00a0Disability insurance<\/a>\u00a0helps during these times.<\/p>\n

There are two types of disability insurance<\/a>, which include:<\/p>\n