Source
(Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 502, Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 891; Pub. L. 96–364, title III, § 306(b), Sept. 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 1295; Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 231; Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §§ 9342(c),
9344, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–372, 1330–373; Pub. L. 101–239, title II, § 2101(a), (b), title VII, §§ 7881(b)(5)(B), (j)(2), (3),
7891
(a)(1),
7894
(f)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2123, 2438, 2442, 2445, 2450; Pub. L. 101–508, title XII, § 12012(d)(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–573; Pub. L. 103–66, title IV, § 4301(c)(1)–(3), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 376; Pub. L. 103–401, §§ 2,
3, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4172; Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 761(a)(9)(B)(ii), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 5033; Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 101(b), (e)(2), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1951, 1952; Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, § 603(b)(3)(E), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2938; Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, § 1503(c)(2)(B), (d)(7), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1062; Pub. L. 107–204, title III, § 306(b)(3), July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 783; Pub. L. 108–218, title I, §§ 102(d),
103
(b),
104
(a)(2), Apr. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 602, 603, 606.)
References in Text
Section
405
(a) of title
26, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was repealed by
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 491(a), July 18, 1984,
98 Stat. 848.
Paragraphs (1) and (4) of section
1166 of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), were redesignated as pars. (1) and (4) of section
1166
(a) of this title by
Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7891(d)(1)(A)(ii)(I), Dec. 19, 1989,
103 Stat. 2445.
Section
1021
(b)(4) of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), was redesignated section
1021
(b)(1) of this title by
Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, § 1503(a), Aug. 5, 1997,
111 Stat. 1061.
Section
1320b–14 of title
42, referred to in subsec. (c)(8), was repealed by
Pub. L. 104–226, § 1(a), Oct. 2, 1996,
110 Stat. 3033, and a new section
1320b–14 of title
42, which does not contain a subsec. (c)(8), was enacted by
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IX, § 911(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000,
114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–583.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (k), was in the original “this Act”, meaning
Pub. L. 93–406, known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Titles I, III, and IV of such Act are classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1001 of this title and Tables.
Codification
Another section 306(b)(3) of
Pub. L. 107–204 is classified to section
7244
(b)(3) of Title
15, Commerce and Trade.
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c)(1).
Pub. L. 108–218, § 103(b), substituted “, section
1021
(e)(1) of this title, or section
1021
(f) of this title” for “or section
1021
(e)(1) of this title”.
Subsec. (c)(3).
Pub. L. 108–218, § 102(d), inserted “or who fails to meet the requirements of section
1082
(d)(12)(E) of this title with respect to any person” after “1021(e)(2) of this title with respect to any person”.
Subsec. (c)(4).
Pub. L. 108–218, § 104(a)(2), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: “The Secretary may assess a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation by any person of section
1021
(f)(1) of this title.”
2002—Subsec. (a)(6).
Pub. L. 107–204, § 306(b)(3)(A), substituted “(5), (6), or (7)” for “(5), or (6)”.
Subsec. (c)(7), (8).
Pub. L. 107–204, § 306(b)(3)(B), (C), added par. (7) and redesignated former par. (7) as (8).
1997—Subsec. (a)(6).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1503(d)(7), substituted “(5), or (6)” for “or (5)”.
Subsec. (c)(6), (7).
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1503(c)(2)(B), added par. (6) and redesignated former par. (6) as (7).
1996—Subsec. (a)(6).
Pub. L. 104–191, § 101(e)(2)(A)(i), substituted “under paragraph (2), (4), or (5) of subsection (c) of this section or under subsection (i) or (l) of this section” for “under subsection (c)(2) or (i) or (l) of this section”.
Subsec. (b)(3).
Pub. L. 104–204 made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section
1191b of this title.
Pub. L. 104–191, § 101(b), added par. (3).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Pub. L. 104–191, § 101(e)(2)(B), inserted at end “For purposes of this paragraph, each violation described in subparagraph (A) with respect to any single participant, and each violation described in subparagraph (B) with respect to any single participant or beneficiary, shall be treated as a separate violation.”
Subsec. (c)(4) to (6).
Pub. L. 104–191, § 101(e)(2)(A)(ii), struck out “For purposes of this paragraph, each violation described in subparagraph (A) with respect to any single participant, and each violation described in subparagraph (B) with respect to any single participant or beneficiary, shall be treated as a separate violation. The Secretary and” after “section
1021
(f)(1) of this title.”, redesignated “the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall maintain such ongoing consultation as may be necessary and appropriate to coordinate enforcement under this subsection with enforcement under section
1320b–14
(c)(8) of title
42.” as par. (6) and inserted “The Secretary and” before “the Secretary of Health and Human Services”, and added par. (5).
1994—Subsec. (a)(9).
Pub. L. 103–401, § 2, added par. (9).
Subsec. (l)(3)(B).
Pub. L. 103–401, § 3, inserted “(or to provide the relief ordered pursuant to subsection (a)(9) of this section)” after “to restore all losses to the plan”.
Subsec. (m).
Pub. L. 103–465 added subsec. (m).
1993—Subsec. (a)(7), (8).
Pub. L. 103–66, § 4301(c)(1), added pars. (7) and (8).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Pub. L. 103–66, § 4301(c)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (e)(1).
Pub. L. 103–66, § 4301(c)(3), substituted in first sentence “fiduciary, or any person referred to in section
1021
(f)(1) of this title” for “or fiduciary” and in second sentence “paragraphs (1)(B) and (7) of subsection (a)” for “subsection (a)(1)(B)”.
1990—Subsec. (c)(1).
Pub. L. 101–508, § 12012(d)(2)(A), inserted “or section
1021
(e)(1) of this title” after “section
1166 of this title”.
Subsec. (c)(3).
Pub. L. 101–508, § 12012(d)(2)(B), inserted “or who fails to meet the requirements of section
1021
(e)(2) of this title with respect to any person” after first reference to “beneficiary” and “or to such person” after second reference to “beneficiary”.
1989—Subsec. (a)(6).
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7881(j)(2), substituted “subsection (c)(2) or (i)” for “subsection (i)”.
Pub. L. 101–239, § 2101(b), inserted “or (l)” after “subsection (i)”.
Subsec. (b)(1).
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7894(f)(1), substituted “respect” for “respct” before “to a violation” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7891(a)(1), substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.
Subsec. (c)(2).
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7881(j)(3), inserted “against any plan administrator” after “civil penalty” and substituted “such plan administrator’s” for “a plan administrator’s”.
Subsec. (c)(3).
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7881(b)(5)(B), added par. (3).
Subsec. (g)(2).
Pub. L. 101–239, § 7891(a)(1), substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.
Subsec. (l).
Pub. L. 101–239, § 2101(a), added subsec. (l).
1987—Subsec. (c).
Pub. L. 100–203, § 9342(c), designated existing provision as par. (1), redesignated as cls. (A) and (B) former cls. (1) and (2), and added par. (2).
Subsec. (i).
Pub. L. 100–203, § 9344, amended second sentence generally. Prior to amendment, second sentence read as follows: “The amount of such penalty may not exceed 5 percent of the amount involved (as defined in section
4975
(f)(4) of title
26); except that if the transaction is not corrected (in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by regulation, which regulations shall be consistent with section
4975
(f)(5) of title
26) within 90 days after notice from the Secretary (or such longer period as the Secretary may permit), such penalty may be in an amount not more than 100 percent of the amount involved.”
1986—Subsec. (c).
Pub. L. 99–272 inserted “(1) who fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) or (4) of section
1166 of this title with respect to a participant or beneficiary, or (2)”.
1980—Subsec. (b).
Pub. L. 96–364, § 306(b)(1), redesignated existing provisions as par. (1)(A) and (B) and added par. (2).
Subsec. (g).
Pub. L. 96–364, § 306(b)(2), redesignated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted exception for actions under paragraph (2), and added par. (2).
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 103(b) of
Pub. L. 108–218 applicable to plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 2004, see section 103(d) of
Pub. L. 108–218, set out as a note under section
1021 of this title.
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 107–204 effective 180 days after July 30, 2002, see section
7244
(c) of Title
15, Commerce and Trade.
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Amendment by
Pub. L. 104–204 applicable with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1998, see section 603(c) of
Pub. L. 104–204 set out as a note under section
1003 of this title.
Amendment by
Pub. L. 104–191 applicable with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning after June 30, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 101(g) of
Pub. L. 104–191, set out as a note under section
1181 of this title.
Effective Date of 1994 Amendments
Amendment by
Pub. L. 103–465 applicable to plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 1994, see section 761(b)(1) of
Pub. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section
1056 of this title.
Section 5 of
Pub. L. 103–401 provided that: “The amendments made by this Act [amending this section] shall apply to any legal proceeding pending, or brought, on or after May 31, 1993.”
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to qualified transfers under section
420 of title
26 made after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 12012(e) of
Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section
1021 of this title.
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Section 2101(c) of
Pub. L. 101–239 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to any breach of fiduciary responsibility or other violation occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989].”
Amendment by section 7881(b)(5)(B), (j)(2), (3) of
Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Pension Protection Act,
Pub. L. 100–203, §§ 9302–9346, to which such amendment relates, see section 7882 of
Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section
401 of Title
26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendment by section 7891(a)(1) of
Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986,
Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 7891(f) of
Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section
1002 of this title.
Amendment by section 7894(f)(1) of
Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if originally included in the provision of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
Pub. L. 93–406, to which such amendment relates, see section 7894(i) of
Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section
1002 of this title.
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Section 9342(d) of
Pub. L. 100–203 provided that:
“(1) In general.—The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections
1023,
1024, and
1113 of this title] shall apply with respect to reports required to be filed after December 31, 1987.
“(2) Regulations.—The Secretary of Labor shall issue the regulations required to carry out the amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section] not later than January 1, 1989.”
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 99–272 applicable to plan years beginning on or after July 1, 1986, with special rule for collective bargaining agreements, see section 10002(d) of
Pub. L. 99–272, set out as an Effective Date note under section
1161 of this title.
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Pub. L. 96–364 effective Sept. 26, 1980, except as specifically provided, see section
1461
(e) of this title.
Regulations
Secretary authorized, effective Sept. 2, 1974, to promulgate regulations wherever provisions of this subchapter call for the promulgation of regulations, see section
1031 of this title.
Effect of Pub. L. 103–401 on Other Provisions
Section 4 of
Pub. L. 103–401 provided that: “Nothing in this Act [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section
1001 of this title] shall be construed to limit the legal standing of individuals to bring a civil action as participants or beneficiaries under section 502(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (
29 U.S.C.
1132
(a)), and nothing in this Act shall affect the responsibilities, obligations, or duties imposed upon fiduciaries by title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [this subchapter].”
Plan Amendments Not Required Until July 30, 2002
For provisions directing that if any amendment made by section 306(b) of
Pub. L. 107–204 requires an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after July 30, 2002, see section
7244
(b)(3) of Title
15, Commerce and Trade.
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1994
For provisions setting forth circumstances under which any amendment to a plan required to be made by an amendment made by section 4301 of
Pub. L. 103–66 shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1994, see section 4301(d) of
Pub. L. 103–66, set out as an Effective Date of 1993 Amendment note under section
1021 of this title.