Usually, you fill out the required paperwork and submit it to the plan administrator, who then can tell you what your benefits will be and when they will start. Generally, an ERISA plan participant can select just about anyone to be their beneficiary.There have been a number of amendments to ERISA, expanding the protections available to health benefit plan participants and beneficiaries. We've put together a guide to help you understand more about retirement income and protection planning. This GRIST provides a basic primer on ERISA's preemption of state laws, including various exceptions, exclusions and court rulings. A beneficiary designation involves naming the person who will directly receive an asset in the event of the death of its owner. It's worth noting that ERISAqualified plans aren't always protected. ERISA may preempt a third-party beneficiary's state law claims. You can change your beneficiaries online, or complete the Retiree Change of Beneficiary Form found under the Forms section of our website and mail it to ERSGA. Under ERISA, a surviving spouse is usually the automatic beneficiary of a retirement plan (There may be some exceptions.