What Is ERISA and How Does It Affect My Long-Term Disability Benefits?

Jun262025

By Brian Patrick Bronson, Esq.

If an illness or injury leaves you unable to work, your employer may offer Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance—typically covering 50–70% of your salary. As you begin exploring your benefits, you might hear the term ERISA mentioned frequently. So what is ERISA, and why does it matter?

Understanding ERISA

ERISA stands for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a federal law that sets standards for most employer-sponsored benefit plans in the private sector. These include not only retirement plans but also health and disability benefits—like your Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage.

ERISA’s primary purpose is to protect employees by:

Requiring employers to provide clear, accurate information about their plans
Establishing rules to help prevent fraud and mismanagement
Enforcing a uniform claims and appeals process

Important: ERISA does not apply to government or church-based plans.

ERISA and Long-Term Disability Claims

If you are unable to work and have LTD coverage through your employer, ERISA will govern how your claim is handled. Here’s what you need to know:

You must follow specific procedures. Filing an LTD claim under ERISA involves strict deadlines and documentation requirements.
The insurance company must respond promptly. They are required to issue a written decision—usually within 45 days of your claim.
You can submit supporting evidence. This includes medical records, statements from your doctors, and other documentation of your disability.
You have appeal rights. If your claim is denied, you must file an administrative appeal before you can take your case to federal court.
State laws don’t apply. ERISA overrides state consumer protection laws, including claims for bad faith. This makes it more challenging to fight unfair denials.

Why Legal Help Matters

ERISA claims can be complex and unforgiving. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding a requirement can cost you your benefits. At Quatrini Law Group, we help clients navigate the LTD claims process, fight wrongful denials, and explore other potential benefits such as: