ERISA will generally apply to severance arrangements that provide for multiple payments and particularized criteria for employee qualification. A severance policy may be treated as an ERISA plan even if the policy is not in writing.ERISA is the primary federal law governing employee benefits plans. ERISA is a federal law that sets minimum standards for retirement plans in private industry. This blog piece will help point out what a health and welfare severance plan is under the ERISA, and if it needs Plan Documents and Form 5500s. Such oneoff severance agreements can constitute an ERISA plan under the right circumstances, even if the agreement doesn't mention ERISA. Our experienced labor and employment attorneys help employers navigate labor and employment laws. Some severance arrangements are considered "welfare pans" under ERISA and, are therefore, subject to ERISA's reporting and disclosure requirements. Jimmy King counsels clients in employee benefits law, including fiduciary aspects of ERISA, qualified pension and 401(k) profit sharing plans and ESOPs. A severance policy may be treated as an ERISA plan even if the policy is not in writing.