In general, ERISA does not cover plans established or maintained by governmental entities, churches for their employees, or plans which are maintained solely to comply with applicable workers compensation, unemployment or disability laws.
Some but not all employer severance arrangements fall under ERISA's oversight. As a federal law, ERISA aims to regulate employer-sponsored group benefit plans, such as health insurance, disability, and pensions. However, certain severance packages can also fall under ERISA's definition of an “employee benefit plan.”
Basic ERISA compliance requires employers provide notice to participants about plan information, their rights under the plan, and how the plan is funded. This includes ensuring plans comply with ERISA's minimum standards, recordkeeping, annual filing and reporting, and fiduciary compliance.
Unemployment Insurance Notice: Massachusetts employers should provide terminated employees with detailed information about unemployment insurance benefits and how to access them.
It should be noted that Massachusetts is an employment-at-will state, and thus employers in the state have no requirement to give a severance package to their employees.
Some but not all employer severance arrangements fall under ERISA's oversight. As a federal law, ERISA aims to regulate employer-sponsored group benefit plans, such as health insurance, disability, and pensions. However, certain severance packages can also fall under ERISA's definition of an “employee benefit plan.”
Filing an ERISA Claim: Step-by-Step Guide Step 1: Review Your Plan. The first step in filing an ERISA claim is to review your disability insurance policy thoroughly. Step 2: Gather Evidence. Step 3: File Your Claim. Step 4: Wait for a Decision. Step 5: Appeal if Necessary.
There is no requirement to provide severance in the US and if you were terminated for cause a company generally would not provide it. In general severance is only provided when a company does something like lay you off because of financial conditions or restructuring (if even then).