The DoL's new Retirement Security Rule defines an "investment advice fiduciary" as anyone who makes an investment recommendation to a retirement investor. The Court found that the state statute "binds ERISA plan administrators to a particular choice of rules for determining beneficiary status.She also presented "Marketing Opportunities and Challenges" at the SRZ 23rd Annual Private Investment Funds. Plan sponsors do not need to fear the DOL, but they do need to fear litigation if they invest in Private Equity. The threshold position was that they are investors, and not engaged in a trade or business. Private equity funds in the case should be treated for purposes of ERISA as holding companies rather than as investment funds. Year (180 days in the case of a fund of funds). As a general disclosure matter, and for purposes of.