ERISA Wrap Documents
Bundle your multiple benefit plans under a single, compliant Summary Plan Description — and meet your federal ERISA obligations with confidence.
What Are Wrap Documents?
An ERISA wrap document (also called a wrap SPD) is a single document that wraps around your insurance carrier certificates and booklets to create one unified plan document and Summary Plan Description (SPD). This satisfies the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requirements that apply to most employer-sponsored welfare benefit plans.
Without a wrap document, employers are relying solely on carrier-issued certificates — which rarely include all the information ERISA requires. This gap creates compliance risk and potential liability during a Department of Labor (DOL) audit.
Why Employers Need Wrap Documents
DOL Compliance
The Department of Labor requires that every ERISA-covered plan provide participants with a Summary Plan Description containing specific information — including claims procedures, plan administration details, and participant rights. Insurance certificates alone do not satisfy this requirement.
ERISA Plan Document Requirement
ERISA Section 402 requires every employee benefit plan to be established and maintained pursuant to a written plan document. A wrap document ensures each of your benefit offerings is backed by a proper plan instrument.
Audit Protection
If the DOL audits your benefit plans, one of the first items requested is your plan document and SPD. Having a comprehensive wrap document in place demonstrates good-faith compliance and reduces your exposure to penalties.
Penalty Avoidance
Failure to provide an SPD upon request can result in penalties of up to $110 per day per participant. A wrap document ensures you always have a compliant SPD ready for distribution.
What Is Included in Our Wrap Document Service
Wrap SPD
A comprehensive Summary Plan Description that wraps around all your carrier certificates, adding required ERISA language, claims procedures, and participant rights information.
Plan Document
A formal written plan document satisfying ERISA Section 402, covering plan administration, eligibility, funding, amendment procedures, and fiduciary responsibilities.
Compliance Filing Support
Ongoing guidance on distributing SPDs, filing Summary of Material Modifications (SMMs), and keeping your wrap document current when benefit plans change.
Protect Your Organization with Proper Wrap Documents
Catapult\u2019s benefits compliance team will create and maintain your ERISA wrap documents — so every plan is properly documented and audit-ready.
Contact Catapult