ERISA at 50: BLS tracks the evolution of retirement benefits.

This article discusses the evolution of retirement benefits in the United States over the past 50 years, with a focus on the role of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in tracking these changes. The passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in 1974 had a significant impact on retirement benefits, establishing regulations for employer-provided plans. The article explores the shift from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans, as well as the various provisions and requirements of these plans. BLS has collected data on retirement benefits, including participation rates and plan details, since the late 1970s, providing valuable information on the changing retirement landscape. [Extracted from the article]