Due to the ongoing difficult economic climate, many employers are now freezing, modifying, or eliminating their pension and benefit plans. The prolonged economic slump also is making it increasingly difficult for Congress to address the deteriorating financial condition of the Social Security and Medicare programs. Thus a thorough understanding of pension and benefits law and related issues is now more critical than ever. ERISA and Employee Benefit Law: The Essentials offers the most up-to-date, expert information on the full spectrum of pension and benefit topics -- from an easy-to-understand explanation of ERISA and other laws regulating employee benefits plans to detailed descriptions and definitions of private retirement and welfare plans as well as public programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. It also includes a comprehensive historical tour of milestone legislation, regulations, and case law that have significantly impacted the many plans available in the United States private and public sectors today. So whether you are a lawyer, a student, or an individual who is currently planning for retirement, this book will help you navigate the complex issues involved in the administration of pension and benefit plans.