Participating employees and covered beneficiaries are entitled to certain information with regard to welfare plans as well as pension plans. Participants and beneficiaries receiving benefits at certain intervals:
are entitled to a summary plan description:
are entitled to a summary of any changes;
are entitled to summary of the annual report;
are entitled to a statement of the vested benefits; and
are entitled to a statement of total benefits accrued and the pension benefits vested. (29 U.S.C. ss. 1022-1025)
ERISA prohibits any person from discriminating against a participant or beneficiary for exercising any right under the provisions of an employee benefit plan or employee retirement plan or terminating anyone in order to deny them benefits under such plans. (29 U.S.C. s. 1140)
Such civil actions must be brought in the U.S. District Court where the plan is administered, where the breach took place, or where the defendant resides or may be found. (29 U.S.C. s. 1132(e))
No such civil action may be commenced after the earlier of (1) six years after the last action which constituted a breach or violation or (2) three years after the earliers date on which the plaintiff had actual knowledge of the breach or violation, except that in the case of fraud or concealment, such action may be commenced not later than six years after the date of discovery or such breach or violation. (29 U.S.C. s. 1113)