About ERISAbonds.com

ERISAbonds.com is operated by The Southern Agency, a licensed insurance agency. The site has a focused purpose: help employee benefit plan sponsors understand the federal fidelity bonding requirement and move from a coverage calculation to an online bond purchase without unnecessary friction. We explain the essentials in plain English while keeping the controlling federal rules visible.

Our mission

ERISA compliance can be technical, but obtaining a routine fidelity bond should not be opaque. Our mission is to provide instant, transparent, compliant online bonding for eligible plans. That means explaining why the bond exists, how the usual 10% formula works, when the $500,000 or $1,000,000 statutory maximum applies, and what information a plan sponsor should have ready.

Transparency also means describing premiums correctly. A displayed premium is the total premium for the selected term, not a monthly charge or an annualized figure. Availability and pricing depend on the coverage, term, and state selected. A state must be selected before an online purchase link is shown.

What we help with

This site concentrates on ERISA fidelity bonds required by Section 412. These bonds protect an employee benefit plan from loss caused by fraud or dishonesty by people who handle plan funds or property. They are not fiduciary liability insurance and do not protect a fiduciary from allegations of imprudence, errors, or breach of duty.

• Plain-English explanations of the federal bonding requirement and recognized exemptions.
• A calculator for estimating the customary minimum amount under the 10% rule.
• Guidance tailored to common plan types, including 401(k), 403(b), ESOP, and pension plans.
• Access to an external surety checkout for eligible online purchases after state selection.
• Direct phone and email support for larger or more complicated bonding questions.

How online purchase works

Start by reviewing the ERISA bond requirements and using the coverage calculator. After you select a state and an available option, a purchase link opens a third-party surety checkout. The application and payment are completed there. ERISAbonds.com does not process payment-card information or store the surety application on this informational site.

The bond is underwritten by a surety company holding a U.S. Treasury Certificate of Authority and appearing on Circular 570. Underwriting eligibility and issuance remain subject to the surety's terms. Our role is to make the path clear and to be available when a standard online choice is not enough.

When personal help matters

Call us when the calculated requirement is more than $500,000, when employer securities may trigger the higher statutory maximum, or when one sponsor has multiple plans. We can also help clarify what information the checkout requests. Questions about whether a plan is governed by Title I, whether a safe harbor applies, or how a fiduciary duty should be performed may require the plan's attorney, accountant, or benefits adviser.

A practical standard

We aim to distinguish federal requirements from general education, avoid overstating what a bond covers, and give plan sponsors a direct way to reach a real insurance agency. Our content is reviewed for clarity and linked to primary federal concepts, but it is not legal or tax advice. The plan sponsor remains responsible for determining the correct coverage and maintaining compliance.