Meeting Your Fiduciary

Responsibilities
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www.dol.gov/ebsa

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1- 866-444-EBSA (3272)

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This booklet constitutes a small entity compliance guide 

for purposes of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
Meeting Your Fiduciary

Responsibilities

U.S. Department of Labor

Employee Benefits Security Administration

May 2004
Meeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities

Offering a retirement plan can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, decisions an

employer can make. The employees participating in the plan, their beneficiaries, and the

employer benefit when a retirement plan is in place. Administering a plan and managing its

assets, however, require certain actions and involve specific responsibilities. 

To meet their responsibilities as plan sponsors, employers need to understand some basic

rules, specifically the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA sets standards

of conduct for those who manage an employee benefit plan and its assets (called fiduciaries).

Meeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities provides an overview of the basic fiduciary

responsibilities applicable to retirement plans under the law. 

This booklet addresses the scope of ERISA’s protections for private-sector retirement plans

(public-sector plans and plans sponsored by churches are not covered by ERISA). It provides a

simplified explanation of the law and regulations. It is not a legal interpretation of ERISA, nor is

it intended to be a substitute for the advice of a retirement plan professional. Also, the booklet

does not cover those provisions of the Federal tax law related to retirement plans. 

What are the essential elements of a plan? 

Each plan has certain key elements. These include:

 A written plan that describes the benefit structure and guides day-to-day operations;

 A trust fund to hold the plan’s assets1;

 A recordkeeping system to track the flow of monies going to and from the retirement 

plan; and

 Documents to provide plan information to employees participating in the plan and to 

the government. 

Employers often hire outside professionals (sometimes called third-party service providers) or,

if applicable, use an internal administrative committee or human resources department to

manage some or all of a plan’s day-to-day operations. Indeed, there may be one or a number

of officials with discretion over the plan. These are the plan’s fiduciaries. 

Who is a fiduciary? 

Many of the actions involved in operating a plan make the person or entity performing them a

fiduciary. Using discretion in administering and managing a plan or controlling the plan’s

assets makes that person a fiduciary to the extent of that discretion or control. Thus, fiduciary

status is based on the functions performed for the plan, not just a person’s title. 

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1 If a plan is set up through an insurance contract, the contract does not need to be held in trust.
A plan must have at least one fiduciary (a person or entity) named in the written plan, or

through a process described in the plan, as having control over the plan’s operation. The

named fiduciary can be identified by office or by name. For some plans, it may be an

administrative committee or a company’s board of directors. 

A plan’s fiduciaries will ordinarily include the trustee, investment advisers, all individuals

exercising discretion in the administration of the plan, all members of a plan’s administrative

committee (if it has such a committee), and those who select committee officials. Attorneys,

accountants, and actuaries generally are not fiduciaries when acting solely in their professional

capacities. The key to determining whether an individual or an entity is a fiduciary is whether

they are exercising discretion or control over the plan. 

A number of decisions are not fiduciary actions but rather are business decisions made by the

employer. For example, the decisions to establish a plan, to determine the benefit package, to

include certain features in a plan, to amend a plan, and to terminate a plan are business

decisions. When making these decisions, an employer is acting on behalf of its business, not

the plan, and, therefore, is not a fiduciary. However, when an employer (or someone hired by

the employer) takes steps to implement these decisions, that person is acting on behalf of the

plan and, in carrying out these actions, is a fiduciary. 

What is the significance of being a fiduciary?

Fiduciaries have important responsibilities and are subject to standards of conduct because

they act on behalf of participants in a retirement plan and their beneficiaries. These

responsibilities include: 

 Acting solely in the interest of plan participants and their beneficiaries and with the 

exclusive purpose of providing benefits to them;

 Carrying out their duties prudently; 

 Following the plan documents (unless inconsistent with ERISA);

 Diversifying plan investments; and

 Paying only reasonable plan expenses.

The duty to act prudently is one of a fiduciary’s central responsibilities under ERISA. It requires

expertise in a variety of areas, such as investments. Lacking that expertise, a fiduciary will want

to hire someone with that professional knowledge to carry out the investment and other

functions. Prudence focuses on the process for making fiduciary decisions. Therefore, it is wise

to document decisions and the basis for those decisions. For instance, in hiring any plan

service provider, a fiduciary may want to survey a number of potential providers, asking for the

same information and providing the same requirements. By doing so a fiduciary can document

the process and make a meaningful comparison and selection. 

Following the terms of the plan document is also an important responsibility. The document

serves as the foundation for plan operations. Employers will want to be familiar with their plan

document, especially when it is drawn up by a third-party service provider, and periodically

review the document to make sure it remains current. For example, if a plan official named in

the document changes, the plan document must be updated to reflect that change. 

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Diversification – another key fiduciary duty – helps to minimize the risk of large investment

losses to the plan. Fiduciaries should consider each plan investment as part of the plan’s entire

portfolio. Once again, fiduciaries will want to document their evaluation and investment

decisions. 

Limiting Liability

With these fiduciary responsibilities, there is also potential liability. Fiduciaries who do not

follow the basic standards of conduct may be personally liable to restore any losses to the

plan, or to restore any profits made through improper use of the plan’s assets resulting from

their actions. 

However, fiduciaries can limit their liability in certain situations. One way fiduciaries can

demonstrate that they have carried out their responsibilities properly is by documenting the

processes used to carry out their fiduciary responsibilities. 

There are other ways to limit potential liability. Some plans, such as most 401(k) or profitsharing plans, can be set up to give participants control over the investments in their accounts.

For participants to have control, they must be given the opportunity to choose from a broad

range of investment alternatives. Under Labor Department regulations, there must be at least

three different investment options so that employees can diversify investments within an

investment category, such as through a mutual fund, and diversify among the investment

alternatives offered. In addition, participants must be given sufficient information to make

informed decisions about the options offered under the plan. Participants also must be

allowed to give investment instructions at least once a quarter, and perhaps more often if the

investment option is extremely volatile.

If an employer sets up their plan in this manner, a fiduciary’s liability is limited for the

investment decisions made by participants. However, a fiduciary retains the responsibility for

selecting the providers of the investment options and the options themselves and monitoring

their performance. 

A fiduciary can also hire a service provider or providers to handle fiduciary functions, setting

up the agreement so that the person or entity then assumes liability for those functions

selected. If an employer appoints an investment manager that is a bank, insurance company, or

registered investment advisor, the employer is responsible for the selection of the manager,

but is not liable for the individual investment decisions of that manager. However, an employer

is required to monitor the manager periodically to assure that it is handling the plan’s

investments prudently.

Other Plan Fiduciaries

A fiduciary should be aware of others who serve as fiduciaries to the same plan, since all

fiduciaries have potential liability for the actions of their co-fiduciaries. For example, if a

fiduciary knowingly participates in another fiduciary’s breach of responsibility, conceals the

breach, or does not act to correct it, that fiduciary is liable as well. 
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Bonding

As an additional protection for plans, those who handle plan funds or other plan property

generally must be covered by a fidelity bond. A fidelity bond is a type of insurance that

protects the plan against loss resulting from fraudulent or dishonest acts of those covered by

the bond.

How do these responsibilities affect the operation of 

the plan? 

Even if employers hire third-party service providers or use internal administrative committees

to manage the plan, there are still certain functions that can make an employer a fiduciary. 

Employee Contributions

If a plan provides for salary reductions from employees’ paychecks for contribution to the plan

(such as in a 401(k) plan), then the employer must deposit the contributions in a timely

manner. The law requires that participant contributions be deposited in the plan as soon as it

is reasonably possible to segregate them from the company’s assets, but no later than the 15th

business day of the month following the payday. If employers can reasonably make the

deposits sooner, they need to do so.

Hiring a Service Provider

Hiring a service provider in and of itself is a fiduciary function. When considering prospective

service providers, provide each of them with complete and identical information about the

plan and what services you are looking for so that you can make a meaningful comparison. 

Some items a fiduciary needs to consider when selecting a service provider include:

 Information about the firm itself: financial condition and experience with retirement 

plans of similar size and complexity;

 Information about the quality of the firm’s services: the identity, experience, and 

qualifications of professionals who will be handling the plan’s account; any recent 

litigation or enforcement action that has been taken against the firm; and the firm’s 

experience or performance record; 

 A description of business practices: how plan assets will be invested if the firm will 

manage plan investments or how participant investment directions will be handled; the

proposed fee structure; and whether the firm has fiduciary liability insurance. 

An employer should document its selection (and monitoring) process, and, when using an

internal administrative committee, should educate committee members on their roles and

responsibilities. 
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Fees

Fees are just one of several factors fiduciaries need to consider in deciding on service

providers and plan investments. When the fees for services are paid out of plan assets,

fiduciaries will want to understand the fees and expenses charged and the services provided.

While the law does not specify a permissible level of fees, it does require that fees charged to

a plan be "reasonable." After careful evaluation during the initial selection, the plan's fees and

expenses should be monitored to determine whether they continue to be reasonable. 

In comparing estimates from prospective service providers, ask which services are covered for

the estimated fees and which are not. Some providers offer a number of services for one fee,

sometimes referred to as a “bundled” services arrangement. Others charge separately for

individual services. Compare all services to be provided with the total cost for each provider.

Consider whether the estimate includes services you did not specify or want. Remember, all

services have costs. 

Some service providers may receive additional fees from investment vehicles, such as mutual

funds, that may be offered under an employer’s plan. For example, mutual funds often charge

fees to pay brokers and other salespersons for promoting the fund and providing other

services. There also may be sales and other related charges for investments offered by a

service provider. Employers should ask prospective providers for a detailed explanation of all

fees associated with their investment options.

Who pays the fees? Plan expenses may be paid by the employer, the plan, or both. In addition,

for expenses paid by the plan, they may be allocated to participants’ accounts in a variety of

ways. (See Resources for further information). In any case, the plan document should specify

how fees are paid.

Monitoring a Service Provider

An employer should establish and follow a formal review process at reasonable intervals to

decide if it wants to continue using the current service providers or look for replacements.

When monitoring service providers, actions to ensure they are performing the agreed-upon

services include:

 Reviewing the service providers’ performance;

 Reading any reports they provide;

 Checking actual fees charged;

 Asking about policies and practices (such as trading, investment turnover, and proxy 

voting); and

 Following up on participant complaints. 

Investment Advice and Education

More and more employers are offering participants help so they can make informed

investment decisions. Employers may decide to hire an investment adviser offering specific
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investment advice to participants. These advisors are fiduciaries and have a responsibility to

the plan participants. On the other hand, an employer may hire a service provider to provide

general financial and investment education, interactive investment materials, and information

based on asset allocation models. As long as the material is general in nature, providers of

investment education are not fiduciaries. However, the decision to select an investment

adviser or a provider offering investment education is a fiduciary action and must be carried

out in the same manner as hiring any plan service provider. 

Are there some transactions that are prohibited? Is there 

a way to make them permissible if the actions will benefit 

the plan? 

Certain transactions are prohibited under the law to prevent dealings with parties who may be

in a position to exercise improper influence over the plan. In addition, fiduciaries are prohibited

from engaging in self-dealing and must avoid conflicts of interest that could harm the plan. 

Prohibited Transactions

Who is prohibited from doing business with the plan? Prohibited parties (called parties-ininterest) include the employer, the union, plan fiduciaries, service providers, and statutorily

defined owners, officers, and relatives of parties-in-interest. 

Some of the prohibited transactions are:

 A sale, exchange, or lease between the plan and party-in-interest; 

 Lending money or other extension of credit between the plan and party-in-interest; 

and 

 Furnishing goods, services, or facilities between the plan and party-in-interest. 

Other prohibitions relate solely to fiduciaries who use the plan’s assets in their own interest or

who act on both sides of a transaction involving a plan. Fiduciaries cannot receive money or

any other consideration for their personal account from any party doing business with the plan

related to that business. 

Exemptions

There are a number of exceptions (exemptions) in the law that provide protections for the plan

in conducting necessary transactions that would otherwise be prohibited. The Labor

Department may grant additional exemptions.

Exemptions are provided in the law for many dealings with banks, insurance companies, and

other financial institutions that are essential to the on-going operations of the plan. One

exemption in the law allows the plan to hire a service provider as long as the services are

necessary to operate the plan and the contract or arrangement under which the services are

provided and the compensation paid for those services is reasonable. 
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Another important exemption – and a popular feature of most plans – permits plans to offer

loans to participants. The loans, which are considered investments of the plan, must be available

to all participants on a reasonably equivalent basis, must be made according to the provisions in

the plan, and must charge a reasonable rate of interest and be adequately secured. 

The exemptions issued by the Department can involve transactions available to a class of plans

or to one specific plan. Both class and individual exemptions are available at www.dol.gov/ebsa

(click on Compliance Assistance). For more information on applying for an exemption, request

a copy of Exemption Procedures Under Federal Pension Law (see Resources).

Additional Considerations for Plans Investing in Employer

Stock

Plans that invest in employer stock need to consider specific rules relating to this investment.

Traditional defined benefit pension plans have limits on the amount of stock and debt

obligations that a plan can hold and the amount of the plan’s assets that can be invested in

employer securities. For 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, and employee stock ownership

plans, there is no limit on how much in employer securities the plans can hold if the plan

documents so provide.

If an employer decides to make employer stock an investment option under the plan, proper

monitoring will include ensuring that those responsible for making investment decisions,

whether an investment manager or participants, have critical information about the company’s

financial condition so that they can make informed decisions about the stock.

A plan can buy or sell employer securities from a party-in-interest, such as an employer, an

employee, or other related entity as described above (which would otherwise be prohibited) if

it is for fair market value and no sales commission is charged. If the plan is a defined benefit

plan (a traditional pension plan), the plan generally is not permitted to hold more than 10

percent of its assets in employer stock. 

How do employees get information about the plan? How are

employers required to report plan activities? 

ERISA requires plan administrators to furnish plan information to participants and beneficiaries

and to submit reports to government agencies. 

Informing Participants and Beneficiaries

The following documents must be furnished to participants and beneficiaries. 

The summary plan description (SPD) — the basic descriptive document — is a plain language

explanation of the plan and must be comprehensive enough to apprise participants of their

rights and responsibilities under the plan. It also informs participants about the plan features

and what to expect of the plan. Among other things, the SPD must include information about:
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 When and how employees become eligible to participate;

 The source of contributions and contribution levels;

 The vesting period, i.e., the length of time an employee must belong to a plan to 

receive benefits from it;

 How to file a claim for those benefits; and

 A participant’s basic rights and responsibilities under ERISA.

This document is given to employees after they join the plan and to beneficiaries after they

first receive benefits. SPDs must also be redistributed periodically and provided on request. 

The summary of material modification (SMM) apprises participants and beneficiaries of

changes to the plan or to the information required to be in the SPD. The SMM or an updated

SPD for a retirement plan must be furnished automatically to participants within 210 days after

the end of the plan year in which the change was adopted. 

An individual benefit statement provides participants with information about their account

balances and vested benefits. For plans sponsored by a single employer, the statement must be

provided when a participant submits a written request, but no more than once in a 12-month

period, and automatically to certain participants who have terminated service with the

employer. 

A summary annual report (SAR) outlines in narrative form the financial information in the

plan’s Annual Report, the Form 5500 (see below), and is furnished annually to participants. 

The blackout period notice, a recent addition to the notice requirements for profit-sharing or

401(k) plans, requires at least 30 days’ (but not more than 60 days’) advance notice before a

plan is closed to participant transactions. During blackout periods, participants (and

beneficiaries) cannot direct investments, take loans, or request distributions. Typically,

blackout periods occur when plans change recordkeepers or investment options, or when

plans add participants due to a corporate merger or acquisition. 

Reporting to the Government

Plan administrators generally are required to file a Form 5500 Annual Return/Report with the

Federal Government. The Form 5500 reports information about the plan and its operation to

the U.S. Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Pension Benefit Guaranty

Corporation (PBGC), participants, and the public. Depending on the number and type of

participants covered, the filing requirements vary. The form is filed and processed under the

ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST). For more information on the forms, their instructions,

and the filing requirements, see www.efast.dol.gov and request the publication Reporting and

Disclosure Guide for Employee Benefit Plans. See the Resources section to obtain a copy. 

There are penalties for failing to file required reports and for failing to provide required

information to participants.
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Can a fiduciary terminate its fiduciary duties? 

Yes, but there is one final fiduciary responsibility. Fiduciaries who no longer want to serve in

that role cannot simply walk away from their responsibilities, even if the plan has other

fiduciaries. They need to follow plan procedures and make sure that another fiduciary is

carrying out the responsibilities left behind. It is critical that a plan has fiduciaries in place so

that it can continue operations and participants have a way to interact with the plan.

What help is available for employers who make mistakes in

operating a plan? 

The Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) encourages

employers to comply with ERISA by voluntarily self-correcting certain violations. The program

covers 15 transactions, including failure to timely remit participant contributions and some

prohibited transactions with parties-in-interest. The program includes a description of how to

apply, as well as acceptable methods for correcting violations. In addition, the Department

gives applicants immediate relief from payment of excise taxes under a class exemption. 

In addition, the Department’s Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program (DFVCP) assists

late or non-filers of the Form 5500 in coming up to date with corrected filings.

For an overview of both programs, consult www.dol.gov/ebsa.
Meeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities

Tips for Employers with Retirement Plans 

Understanding fiduciary responsibilities is important for the security of a retirement plan and

compliance with the law. The following tips may be a helpful starting point:

 Have you identified your plan fiduciaries, and are they clear about the extent of their 

fiduciary responsibilities? 

 If participants make their own investment decisions, have you provided sufficient 

information for them to exercise control in making those decisions?

 Are you aware of the schedule to deposit participants’ contributions in the plan, and 

have you made sure it complies with the law?

 If you are hiring third-party service providers, have you looked at a number of 

providers, given each potential provider the same information, and considered 

whether the fees are reasonable for the services provided? 

 Have you documented the hiring process? 

 Are you prepared to monitor your plan’s service providers?

 Have you identified parties-in-interest to the plan and taken steps to monitor 

transactions with them?

 Are you aware of the major exemptions under ERISA that permit transactions with 

parties-in-interest, especially those key for plan operations (such as hiring service 

providers and making plan loans to participants)? 

 Have you reviewed your plan document in light of current plan operations and made 

necessary updates? After amending the plan, have you provided participants with an 

updated SPD or SMM? 

 Do those individuals handling plan funds or other plan property have a fidelity bond?

U.S. Department of Labor

Employee Benefits Security Administration
RESOURCES 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration offers more

information on its Web site and through its publications. The following are available by

contacting EBSA at 1-866-444-EBSA (3272) or on the Web at www.dol.gov/ebsa.

For employers:

Reporting and Disclosure Guide for Employee Benefit Plans 

401(k) Plans for Small Businesses

Understanding Retirement Plan Fees and Expenses 

401(k) Plan Fee Disclosure Form (Web only)

Simplified Employee Plans (SEPs)... What Small Businesses Need to Know

Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE)

Exemption Procedures under Federal Law

Retirement Plan Correction Programs

(Also see DFVCP and VFCP fact sheets and frequently asked questions at www.dol.gov/ebsa)

For employees:

Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future 

What You Should Know about Your Retirement Plan 

Top Ten Ways to Save for Retirement

Women and Retirement Savings

U.S. Department of Labor

Employee Benefits Security Administration