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M. BURR KEIM AGENCY · Fidelity Bonds · Reviewed November 2026

ERISA Bond

An ERISA bond is a fidelity bond required by federal law for people who handle assets of an employee benefit plan. It protects the plan from loss caused by fraud or dishonesty by plan officials, employees, or other persons with access to plan assets.

Apply for This Bond Online How to Apply Questions

At a glance

Product
ERISA Bond
Category
Fidelity Bonds
Required amount
ERISA generally requires the bond to be at least 10% of the amount of plan assets, with a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $500,000, subject to exceptions and plan-specific rules. Confirm the required bond amount with the plan’s ERISA counsel or administrator.
Online issue
Instant issue with conditional questions up to $200,000. Plans with larger asset levels, multiple plans, or more complex arrangements may require underwriting review. Apply online for the current premium and to confirm the required limit.
Term
The bond is usually written for a one-year term and renewed annually. It must remain in force while the plan has assets and covered persons. Calendar the renewal before the expiration date to avoid a gap in coverage.

Who needs an ERISA Bond?

  • Employers and plan sponsors with retirement or welfare benefit plans covered by ERISA.
  • Plan trustees, administrators, and other fiduciaries who handle plan assets.
  • Third-party administrators or service providers confirming whether the plan’s ERISA bond requirement is satisfied.

Why is an ERISA Bond required?

ERISA requires every fiduciary and every person who handles funds or other property of a covered employee benefit plan to be bonded. The bond protects the plan from loss caused by fraud or dishonesty. The requirement is part of the federal framework that governs plan assets.

An ERISA bond is not the same as fiduciary liability insurance. The bond covers specified dishonest acts, while fiduciary liability insurance covers claims arising from alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. Many plans need both.

How much bond do I need?

ERISA generally requires the bond to be at least 10% of the amount of plan assets, with a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $500,000, subject to exceptions and plan-specific rules. Confirm the required bond amount with the plan’s ERISA counsel or administrator.

Instant issue with conditional questions up to $200,000. Plans with larger asset levels, multiple plans, or more complex arrangements may require underwriting review. Apply online for the current premium and to confirm the required limit.

Bond amount is not the premium. The required amount is the maximum the surety could pay under the bond. The premium you pay is a separate charge based on the bond amount, the risk, the term, and your credit. The online application shows the premium before you bind coverage.

How much does an ERISA Bond cost?

Premium depends on the bond amount, the plan type, the number of covered persons, and the plan’s loss history. ERISA bonds are typically inexpensive relative to plan assets. Apply online for the current premium.

How to apply online

  1. Confirm the bond amount and obligee. Use the amount and legal name of the agency, court, client, or government entity that requires the bond. The obligee name must match the requiring party’s records.
  2. Gather the application information. Have the legal business or entity name, address, license or case number, ownership information, and the required bond amount ready.
  3. Start the CNA Surety application. Use the online application link on this page. The link includes the M. BURR KEIM AGENCY app code and agency code, so the application is routed to our agency.
  4. Pay the premium and bind coverage. If the bond is eligible for instant issue, the application will show the premium and let you complete the purchase online. Otherwise, the surety will review the application and contact you if additional information is needed.
  5. File the bond. Provide the issued bond to the agency, court, client, or government entity that requires it, and keep a copy for your records.
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ERISA Bond term and renewal

The bond is usually written for a one-year term and renewed annually. It must remain in force while the plan has assets and covered persons. Calendar the renewal before the expiration date to avoid a gap in coverage.

Good to know

  • The Department of Labor and ERISA counsel should confirm the required amount. The 10% rule has a minimum and maximum, but special rules can apply to certain plans and asset types.
  • An ERISA bond does not satisfy the separate fiduciary liability insurance requirement, and fiduciary liability insurance does not satisfy the ERISA bond requirement.

ERISA Bond questions

An ERISA bond is a fidelity bond required by federal law for people who handle assets of an employee benefit plan. It protects the plan from loss caused by fraud or dishonesty by plan officials, employees, or other persons with access to plan assets.

Employers and plan sponsors with retirement or welfare benefit plans covered by ERISA. Plan trustees, administrators, and other fiduciaries who handle plan assets. Third-party administrators or service providers confirming whether the plan’s ERISA bond requirement is satisfied.

Premium depends on the bond amount, the plan type, the number of covered persons, and the plan’s loss history. ERISA bonds are typically inexpensive relative to plan assets. Apply online for the current premium.

ERISA generally requires the bond to be at least 10% of the amount of plan assets, with a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $500,000, subject to exceptions and plan-specific rules. Confirm the required bond amount with the plan’s ERISA counsel or administrator. Instant issue with conditional questions up to $200,000. Plans with larger asset levels, multiple plans, or more complex arrangements may require underwriting review. Apply online for the current premium and to confirm the required limit.

Apply online through CNA Surety using the application link on this page. The link includes the M. BURR KEIM AGENCY app code and agency code, so the application is routed to our agency. Complete the application, pay the premium online if the bond is eligible for instant issue, and then file the bond with the agency, court, or client that requires it.

ERISA generally requires a bond of at least 10% of plan assets, with a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $500,000, subject to exceptions. Confirm the required amount with the plan’s ERISA counsel or administrator before applying.

No. The ERISA bond covers specified losses caused by fraud or dishonesty by persons handling plan assets. Fiduciary liability insurance covers claims that fiduciaries breached their duties. Most plans should consider both.

Online application and important note

Bond requirements, forms, amounts, and fees are set by the requiring agency, court, or carrier and can change. This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current requirement with the agency, court, client, or your attorney before applying. M. BURR KEIM AGENCY is an insurance and surety bond agency; the bond or policy is issued by the carrier named on the document.