Generally, an ERISA plan participant can select just about anyone to be their beneficiary. ERISA is a federal law that sets minimum standards for retirement plans in private industry.The Court found that the state statute "binds ERISA plan administrators to a particular choice of rules for determining beneficiary status. Beneficiary designations in life insurance plans determine who receives plan benefits following the death of a plan participant. For many participants in a 401(k) or pension plan, filling out that beneficiary designation is a one and done activity. However, trusteed welfare benefit plans are subject to the various provisions of ERISA in the same manner as pension benefit plans.