{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/erisa-rules","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/erisa-rules","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"erisa-rules","term":"ERISA Rules","aka":"Employee Retirement Income Security Act","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"These are federal laws setting minimum standards for most private industry retirement and health plans. If you use a ROBS structure, you must comply with ERISA rules to avoid severe penalties.","what_it_means":"ERISA governs the structure and operation of qualified retirement plans, including the 401(k) plans used in ROBS transactions. It dictates fiduciary duties and prohibits self-dealing. Failure to adhere to ERISA can lead to disqualification of your 401(k) plan and significant tax penalties.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/erisa-rules","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"robs","term":"ROBS","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/robs"},{"slug":"prohibited-transaction","term":"Prohibited Transaction","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/prohibited-transaction"},{"slug":"equity-injection","term":"Equity injection","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/equity-injection"},{"slug":"seasoned-funds","term":"Seasoned funds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seasoned-funds"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the rules for using gifted family funds as equity?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-rules-for-using-gifted-family-funds-as-equity"},{"question":"If I use retirement account funds for equity, what are the rules?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-use-retirement-account-funds-for-equity-what-are-the-rules"},{"question":"What are the citizenship or residency rules for SBA 7(a) loan applicants?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-are-the-citizenship-or-residency-rules-for-sba-7-a-loan-applicants"},{"question":"When does identity of interest trigger affiliation for size determination under SBA rules?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-identity-of-interest-trigger-affiliation-for-size-determination-under-sba-rules"},{"question":"What are the rules if a seller note is not on full standby status?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-rules-if-a-seller-note-is-not-on-full-standby-status"},{"question":"Is there an income limit for my business to be \"small\" by SBA rules?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-there-an-income-limit-for-my-business-to-be-small-by-sba-rules"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — ERISA Rules","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/erisa-rules","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}