Passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) brought about one of the most significant changes in the insurance business. In addition to providing guidelines for the federal government to regulate private pension plans, it also greatly broadened the responsibilities of trustees and fiduciaries who directly or indirectly exercise control over pensions or employee benefits that fall under the act. Certain provisions of the act established new standards for prudent action by fiduciaries. The act permits purchasing insurance to protect the personal liability of trustees or fiduciaries for their negligent acts, errors, or omissions. This insurance may be purchased using assets of the plan or trust to protect the plan and its fiduciaries as long as the insurer has recourse against the individual trustee.