Reminder: Be Aware of Electronic Distribution Rules for SPDs and Other ERISA-required Documents

The online BA Assistant also provides information on other general requirements that you must follow when distributing ERISA-required notices.

By now you should have received a Message Center alert linking you to your cooperative’s 2014 Group Benefits Program summary plan description (SPD) and summary of material modifications (SMM) documents. As you prepare to distribute them by the March 1, 2014 deadline, take a few minutes to review the electronic distribution rules for these important notices. Go to Administration > BA Assistant > Your Tasks and Responsibilities > Using Electronic Methods to Distribute Group  SPDs, SMMs and Other Disclosure Documents on the Employee Benefits website.

Electronic disclosure rules address only how to give notices to your employees. Regardless of the delivery method, you must still follow other ERISA rules about who must receive the notice,when to provide it, how to format it and what content to include.

General requirements
Remember, certain general requirements apply to all employees. They include telling employees why the notice is important, how it will be provided and how they can request a free paper copy. You must provide the free paper copy to anyone who wants it, regardless of how they originally received the notice.

If you have questions about electronic distribution, contact the benefits compliance team at 1.866.673.2299, option 7, or email us at group.compliance@nreca.coop.