Trade Associations

Trade Associations

Trade Associations have different requirements that govern their Health & Welfare Plans and Qualified Retirement Plans under ERISA.

Association Health Plans are called Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs), and their Retirement Plans are called Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs). Not to be confused with Multi-employer Plans.

The compliance challenges associated with these unique ERISA Plans has led to an increase in compliance monitoring by the US Department of Labor in recent years.

In 2023, alone the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recovered more $1.4 billion dollars from enforcement actions against employers who were out of compliance. Additionally, the DOL closed 196 criminal cases and indicted 60 people for crimes related to Employee Benefits Plans.

At the ERISA Advisory Group, our mission is to help our clients be proactive instead of reactive, so you are prepared to face any compliance challenges that may come your way.

And we’re proud to say we’ve been helping Trade Associations stay ERISA compliant since 2003. Our decades of experience as ERISA Independent Fiduciaries allows us to offer a wide array of services to help you navigate the laws & regulations that govern Association Health Plans.

Trade Association Consulting & Fiduciary Services

Here are some services you may consider:

• 3(16) Plan Administrator Services
• ERISA Fiduciary Compliance
• RFP Management
• Directed Trustee 
• Health & Welfare Plan Design
• Qualified Retirement Plan Design
• Helping You Survive A DOL Audit