How does ERISA protect my rights?
It outlines what information your employer must give you about your medical, disability and life insurance benefits. It also sets up fiduciary duty requirements. Persons or entities that have any discretionary authority over your benefits or whether your claim is valid are fiduciaries under ERISA. They have strict obligations to carry out their duties with complete loyalty to you, as a prudent person acting in like circumstance would do and in compliance with the documents that govern the plan. Finally, ERISA requires employers or their agents to provide you with a full and fair review when you appeal a denied claim.