Currently, higher education is being roiled by class-action lawsuits filed against high-profile institutions, including MIT, Yale and New York University, over management of their retirement plans. As the lawyers are deployed and the billable hours accrue, it is timely to examine how those who have responsibility for retirement plan…

The legislative history of the fiduciary provisions are reviewed along with types of plans within the scope of ERISA. Basic fiduciary responsibilities are outlined, as are prohibited transactions, civil and co-fiduciary liability, and delegation of investment responsibility. For journal availability see HE 508 741. (LBH)

Pension plan officials may invest on the basis of perceived social benefits provided they have examined a broad range of investments and have found selections having those socially desirable features among a broad class of otherwise suitable and equally desirable investment opportunities meeting the economic objectives of the plan. (Author/IRT)

This article serves as an introduction to a symposium on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and its labor law considerations. Commentary is offered on reporting and disclosure, fiduciary responsibilities, vesting, funding, and miscellaneous provisions. (LBH)