Common use of ERISA Assets Clause in Contracts

ERISA Assets. 1. Sales Agents understand that the Department of Labor views ERISA as prohibiting fiduciaries of discretionary ERISA assets from receiving administrative service fees or other compensation from funds in which the fiduciary's discretionary ERISA assets are invested. To date, the Department of Labor has not issued any exemptive order or advisory opinion that would exempt fiduciaries from this interpretation. Without specific authorization from the Department of Labor, fiduciaries should carefully avoid investing discretionary assets in any fund pursuant to an arrangement where the fiduciary is to be compensated by the fund for such investment. Receipt of such compensation could violate ERISA provisions against fiduciary self-dealing and conflict of interest and could subject the fiduciary to substantial penalties.