Retirement Equity Act of 1984

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 are amended to improve the delivery of retirement benefits and provide greater equity under private pension plans for workers and their spouses and dependents. The amendments include changes to minimum participation and vesting standards, taking into account changes in work patterns and the status of marriage. The law also requires that certain plan amendments be treated as reducing accrued benefits and prohibits the elimination or reduction of early retirement benefits or retirement-type subsidies. In addition, the law provides for a study on the effect of pension plan rules on women.