# ERISA Summary Plan Description (SPD)

> 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.



Tags: ERISA, Benefits, Pensions, United States, Compliance


## Example Prompts

- Draft an SPD for our 401(k) plan with all required disclosures
- Check our health plan SPD for ERISA and DOL claims procedure compliance
- Add the ERISA rights statement and COBRA notice reference to our SPD

URL: https://rakenne.app/skills/us-erisa-summary-plan-description/index.md

Try this skill: https://rakenne.app/a/?skill=us-erisa-summary-plan-description



## 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):**

```markdown
## 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.


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