An employee who is selected by the Plan Administrative Committee to participate in the plan. Prior to the beginning of a plan year, the Plan Administrative Committee may change the group designation of any eligible employee. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA): A federal law that sets minimum standards, including participation, vesting, benefit accrual and funding, for most voluntarily established pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans. This law requires plans to provide participants with plan information including plan features and funding; provides fiduciary responsibilities for those who manage and control plan assets; requires plans to establish a grievance and appeals process for participants to get benefits from their plans, etc.