US Department of Labor marks 50th anniversary of landmark legislation protecting workers’ health, retirement plans with new webpage

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a webpage that marks the 50th anniversary of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and reflects on the landmark law’s impact on the retirement security of America’s workers. 

The webpage traces the history of ERISA and its protections of the health, retirement savings and other benefits plans of America’s workers. It also details how the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration assists retirement plan beneficiaries and their families in claiming their benefits or reporting violations. 

Signed in September 1974, ERISA was designed to protect the interests of employee benefit plan participants and their beneficiaries and has evolved to meet the changing retirement and healthcare needs of workers and their families.

“The Employee Income Retirement Security Act became law on Labor Day in 1974 and established strong protections for the hard-earned benefits of millions of America’s workers and their families,” explained Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Lisa M. Gomez. “As we mark its 50th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the benefits America’s workers earn are secure and ready to provide  workers and their families with the financial security they’ve earned when they need it.” 

The new site also features testimonials from workers and retirees who contacted EBSA benefits advisors for help when it became difficult to obtain their earned benefits, and information on how to connect with EBSA benefits advisors for help with questions about benefits, complaints and claims. 

EBSA benefits advisors can be contacted by calling (866) 444-3272 or visiting askebsa.dol.gov. All discussions with EBSA are free and confidential.