Pillar guides
Each pillar guide is a 1,500-2,500 word reference on a specific bond product or underlying compliance requirement. They are written for non-specialists but go deep enough that benefits counsel use them as a starting point for client memos.
| Guide | Best For |
|---|---|
| What Is an ERISA Bond? | Sponsors and trustees encountering Section 412 for the first time |
| Standard ERISA Bond | The bond form most plans need — coverage, exclusions, pricing |
| Non-Qualifying Asset Bond | Small plans over the 5% NQA threshold facing the audit-vs-bond decision |
| ESOP Fidelity Bond | Plans holding employer securities — the $1M cap and self-dealing risk profile |
| Non-Standard ERISA Bond | Plans with prior loss, retro-dating, or manuscript bond wording requirements |
| Union & Multi-Employer Bond | Taft-Hartley plans and joint-trustee structures |
| RIA Bond | Registered investment advisers serving as plan fiduciaries |
| Fiduciary Liability Policy | Personal protection for trustees — companion to the bond |
Calculators & tools
Working tools that produce real numbers, not lead-capture forms gated behind email collection. Use them for free, share the URL, embed the output in your client memos.
- Bond Amount Calculator
- Enter total plan funds handled, get the required statutory bond amount under ERISA Section 412. Handles both standard ($500K cap) and ESOP ($1M cap) calculations. Open the calculator →
- Online Application
- Three-minute application that produces an instant quote and binds the bond same-day on standard plans. Specialty triggers route automatically to a hand-underwriter. Open the application →
Case law library
Published federal court decisions interpreting ERISA Section 412 and the standard fidelity bond forms used to satisfy it. Each case has its own brief — facts, procedural posture, holding, and the takeaway for plan trustees.
The library covers six recurring question patterns: (1) the scope of "handling" plan funds; (2) treatment of dishonesty exclusions and the line between bond claims and fiduciary breach claims; (3) notice timing and procedural requirements under standard bond forms; (4) the definition of "plan funds" for sizing and coverage purposes; (5) bonding obligations in spun-off plans and successor liability; and (6) standards of review applied to bond coverage disputes.
Open the full case law archive →
Verification & licensing
Reference material for trustees, auditors, and counsel verifying our carrier credentials independently. Both required documents are publicly accessible at the regulator's own website — we link directly so you can confirm without taking our word for it.
- Licensing & Rating
- Federal authorization under 31 U.S.C. § 9304-9308, the U.S. Treasury T-List requirement, the A.M. Best rating system, and step-by-step verification guides. Open the page →
- About Us
- Corporate structure, leadership, geographic footprint, and how to reach the underwriting team. Open the page →
Blog & ongoing analysis
Long-form analysis of new DOL guidance, federal court decisions affecting ERISA bonding, and practical issues plan trustees encounter through the year. Updated regularly.
The blog lives at ERISAblog.com — a separate publication maintained by the Surety One team, with ongoing coverage of the bond-relevant ERISA landscape. New posts are published as warranted; signal over noise.
For interim updates and corporate news, follow Surety One on social — links at the bottom of every page on this site.