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The United States Government Manual
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210
866-444-3272
http://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa
| ASSISTANT SECRETARY | Jeanne K. Wilson, Acting |
| Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary | Jeanne K. Wilson |
| DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARIES | |
| National Office Operations / Chief Operating Officer | Timothy D. Hauser |
| Regional Office Operations | Amy J. Turner |
The Employee Benefits Security Administration assures the security of the retirement, health, and other workplace related benefits of American workers and their families.
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) educates and assists the over 154 million participants in and beneficiaries of approximately 710,000 private retirement plans, 2.4 million health plans, and similar numbers of other welfare benefit plans. The EBSA balances proactive enforcement with compliance assistance and supports enrollees and beneficiaries by developing effective regulations; assisting and educating fiduciaries, plan sponsors, service providers, and workers; and enforcing the law.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/about-us/what-we-doSources of Information
Ask EBSA
EBSA's workers and families assistance web page provides accessible information on programs and services, answers to frequently asked questions, and assistance where a health or retirement benefit has been denied inappropriately.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/ask-a-question/ask-ebsaCareer Opportunities
In 2019, the EBSA ranked 229th among 420 agency subcomponents in the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places To Work Agency Rankings.
https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/DLPWContact Information
The "Regional Offices" web page has contact information for EBSA regional and district offices.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/about-us/regional-officesEmployee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
ERISA is a Federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry. This statute provides protection for individuals who are enrolled in these plans. The Department of Labor has a web page that it has dedicated to the ERISA.
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisaOn September 2, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford approved Public Law 93–406, which is also cited as the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974." Senators and Representatives of the U.S. Congress wrote this 207-page piece of legislation "to provide for pension reform" (88 Stat. 829).
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg829.pdfEn Español
The EBSA posts information in Spanish on its website.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/es/about-ebsa/our-activities/informacion-en-espanolERISA Advisory Council
The membership of the council is posted on the "ERISA Advisory Council" web page. The council posts issue statements on the same page.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/about-us/erisa-advisory-councilERISA Advisory Council reports are posted online.
Factsheets
The EBSA posts factsheets.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/fact-sheetsFederal Register
Significant documents and documents that the EBSA recently published in the Federal Register are accessible online.
https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/employee-benefits-security-administrationForms
The EBSA posts forms and filing instructions online.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/employers-and-advisers/plan-administration-and-compliance/reporting-and-filing/formsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The EBSA posts answers to frequently asked questions.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqsHistory
The EBSA administers and enforces the fiduciary, reporting, and disclosure provisions of the first title of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The histories of the ERISA and EBSA are tightly intertwined.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/about-us/history-of-ebsa-and-erisaInformation for Researchers
EBSA researchers expand the knowledge of employee benefits and their role in meeting the Nation's economic security needs.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/researchersKey Topics
The EBSA website features a page with links to key topics: health and other employee benefits, reporting and filing, and retirement.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/key-topicsNews
The EBSA posts news items on the Department of Labor's website.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases?agency=37&state=All&topic=All&year=allPublications
The EBSA distributes booklets, factsheets, and pamphlets on employer responsibilities and employee rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. A list of publications is available online or from the Office of Outreach, Education, and Assistance. Phone, 866-444-3272.
http://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publicationsThe Sources of Information were updated 9–2020.