Labor Dept Scrubs Old ERISA Bulletins for Clarity
Published Date: 7/1/2025
Rule
Summary
The Department of Labor is cleaning house by removing old rules about employee retirement plans that are no longer needed. This change helps plan sponsors and workers by cutting confusion and making things simpler, with no extra costs or deadlines to worry about. It’s all part of a bigger effort to make life easier by cutting unnecessary government red tape.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Obsolete ERISA Bulletins Removed
If you are a plan sponsor, fiduciary, or an employee covered by an employer-sponsored benefit plan, the Department of Labor is removing certain interpretive bulletins under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that were published shortly after ERISA's 1974 enactment. The removal is prospective and, according to the DOL, is intended to reduce confusion and eliminate the burden of determining whether those old bulletins still apply; the agency says there are no new costs or deadlines associated with this action.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14917, Electronic Disclosure by Group Health Plans Under ERISA
Group health plans can soon share important info online instead of paper, making it easier and cheaper for everyone. If this rule passes, plan administrators must notify members about electronic disclosures but still offer paper copies if requested. This change affects anyone in group health plans under ERISA and aims to save time and money starting after the rule is finalized.
2026-11140, Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations
Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer info when they pay or deny surprise medical bills. They’ll use special codes to explain these decisions, especially when dealing with folks they don’t have contracts with. This helps patients and providers understand bills better and speeds up fixing disputes, with no extra costs for most people.
2026-05492, Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary: Notice of Court Vacatur
The court has canceled the Department of Labor’s 2024 rule that changed who counts as a trusted investment advisor for retirement plans. Starting April 20, 2026, the old rules from 2020 will be back in charge, affecting financial advisors and retirement plan managers. This means advisors should review their practices to stay on the right side of the law and avoid costly mistakes.
2025-14281, Pooled Employer Plans: Big Plans for Small Businesses
Small businesses get a big boost with new guidance on pooled employer plans (PEPs), which help them offer better, cheaper retirement savings options. The government is asking for feedback to create clear rules that make joining these plans easier and more affordable. Starting soon, these changes aim to save workers money and help small employers attract great employees.
2026-15620, Amendment to Exemption for Certain Prohibited Transactions Involving AT&T Inc. (Together With AT&T Inc.'s Affiliates, AT&T or the Applicant) Located in Dallas, Texas
Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 2014-06 provided an exemption for AT&T to contribute approximately $9.21 billion of employer securities (the Preferred Interests) and other assets to the AT&T Pension Benefit Plan (the Plan). This notice amends PTE 2014-06 to permit certain modifications (the Modifications) that were made with respect to the terms and provisions governing the Plan's holding and disposition of the Preferred Interests. Absent this amendment to PTE 2014-06 (Exemption Amendment), the Modifications would have resulted in violations of the prohibited transaction provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).
2026-11222, Exemption for Certain Prohibited Transactions Involving the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman) Located in New York, New York
Starting June 9, 2026, and lasting five years, certain Goldman Sachs asset managers in New York can keep using a special exemption despite past legal issues. This helps retirement plans work smoothly with Goldman managers while making sure they follow important rules and act responsibly. If plans want to stop working with Goldman, they can do so without big costs or problems.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-12035, Freedom of Information Act Program
Amtrak is shaking things up by updating where you send Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, raising the fees a bit, and changing how you file them. If you want info from Amtrak, get ready for new rules that make the process clearer and a little pricier. These changes help Amtrak handle requests faster and better, starting soon!
Next: 2025-11615, Selection of Annuity Providers-Safe Harbor for Individual Account Plans
This rule removes an old safety rule for picking annuity providers in retirement plans because a newer, simpler law already covers it. It affects companies managing retirement plans and helps cut confusing, costly rules. The change starts right away, making life easier and less expensive for everyone involved.