Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs)

This session explains ERISA requirements for summary plan descriptions (SPDs) and plan documents, emphasizing that most employer-sponsored health and welfare benefits must have compliant documentation outlining benefits, eligibility, and participant rights. It covers how SPDs differ from plan documents, what content must be included, and how “wrap documents” can combine multiple benefits into one compliant plan. The presentation also reviews which benefits are subject to ERISA, distribution requirements and timelines, and potential penalties for noncompliance, highlighting that employers—not carriers—are ultimately responsible for maintaining and distributing accurate, complete documents.