ERISA Summary Plan Description (SPD)

Overview

Draft and validate the Summary Plan Description required by ERISA §102 for employee benefit plans. Covers plan identification, participation, benefits, claims procedure, and ERISA rights per 29 CFR §2520.102-3.

Example Conversation

You: We need an SPD for our 401(k) plan with all 29 CFR disclosures, including claims procedure with timelines and the ERISA rights statement.

Agent: I’ll draft the SPD using the template and ERISA checklist, then run spd_disclosure_checker to verify required disclosures.

Agent: Created summary-plan-description.md. Running spd_disclosure_checker…

Agent: FAIL — claims_timelines not clearly stated. I’ve added the DOL claims procedure timeframes (e.g. 90 days for initial determination, 60 days for appeal). Re-running…

Agent: PASS — all required SPD disclosures are present. Ready for plan administrator review.

What the Tools Validate

spd_disclosure_checker scans the SPD document:

• Required areas: Plan identification, participation/eligibility, benefits description, claims procedure with timelines, ERISA rights statement. For health plans, COBRA notice reference.
• Rule: Each area must be present; claims procedure must include timeframes per DOL rules.
• Output: PASS if all required disclosures are present; FAIL with a list of missing areas. Add content and re-run until PASS.

Output Excerpt

SPD (excerpt):

## Claims and appeals
Claims must be submitted within 365 days. Initial determination: within 90 days. If denied, you may appeal within 60 days; appeal decision within 60 days. External review available for health claims as required by DOL regulations.

## Your rights under ERISA
As a participant you are entitled to: examine the plan document and SPD, obtain copies, receive a statement of benefits, and file a complaint with the EBSA or a civil action.

spd_disclosure_checker report (excerpt):

=== SPD DISCLOSURE CHECKER ===
Result: PASS

Document: summary-plan-description.md
All required SPD disclosures present.
SPD meets 29 CFR §2520.102-3 disclosure expectations.

Getting Started

Add your source materials to the project workspace, then activate the ERISA Summary Plan Description (SPD) skill. The agent will guide you through the process step by step.