Does the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) apply to public entities?

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) primarily governs private sector employee benefit plans and does not apply to public entities such as government plans. This distinction is significant, as ERISA was designed to address the retirement plans and benefits for employees in the private sector, providing protections in terms of plan funding, fiduciary responsibility, and information disclosure.

Public entities, including federal, state, and local governments, are typically not subject to ERISA's provisions. Instead, they often have separate regulations governing employee benefits, which can include different requirements and standards. This separation ensures that the unique needs and structures of public sector employment are addressed without the constraints of ERISA.

Understanding the scope of ERISA is crucial for compliance and for recognizing how it intersects with other laws and regulations that affect benefits for employees in various sectors.