Arkansas ERISA Bond (3 Years)
- State: Arkansas
- Bond type: Employee Dishonesty & Fidelity Bond
- Term: 3 Years
- Category: Business Operations Bonds
Buy Arkansas ERISA Bond (3 Years) online →
Overview
Arkansas plan fiduciaries who handle employee benefit plan funds are required by federal law to carry an ERISA fidelity bond. This three-year bond covers the plan against losses caused by fraud or dishonesty committed by anyone who handles plan funds or property. It includes an Inflation Guard provision, which automatically adjusts the bond amount over the three-year term to keep pace with growing plan assets. Buying a three-year term means fewer renewals to track and continuous coverage across the full period.
Who Needs This Bond?
You manage or have signatory authority over an ERISA-covered employee benefit plan — a 401(k), pension, profit-sharing plan, or similar — and federal law requires you to be bonded. Any person who handles funds or property of the plan qualifies as a plan fiduciary under ERISA and must be covered. This includes plan administrators, trustees, and any employee who processes contributions, signs checks, or transfers plan assets. If your plan is subject to ERISA, this bond is not optional.
What is this Bond For?
ERISA fidelity bonds protect the benefit plan itself — not the employer's general business — against financial loss caused by fraud, theft, or dishonest acts by anyone who handles plan funds. If a plan administrator embezzles contributions or a trustee misappropriates assets, the bond provides a recovery mechanism for the plan and its participants. This is a federal requirement under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bond does not cover negligence or investment losses — only acts of dishonesty.
When is it Required?
Coverage must be in force before you handle any plan funds or assets — federal law does not allow a grace period. The Department of Labor can audit your plan at any time, and an uninsured fiduciary faces personal liability and potential plan disqualification. Because this bond runs for three years, you establish continuous coverage from day one without annual renewal gaps. Get the bond in place before your next contribution cycle, trustee meeting, or plan transaction.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond is issued for ERISA-covered plans administered in Arkansas and satisfies the bonding requirement for fiduciaries operating under federal ERISA rules statewide. It applies regardless of the size of your business or the number of plan participants. Because ERISA is a federal statute, the bond applies to any covered plan you administer within the state.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' to open the My Bond App portal in a new tab and complete your application. The process is straightforward — enter your plan information, select your bond amount, and purchase in minutes. Your bond documents are issued digitally so you have proof of coverage immediately.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and gives Arkansas plan fiduciaries direct online access to a nationwide surety bond catalog — no agent callbacks, no waiting on quotes. You can buy, download, and file your ERISA bond the same day you apply. Fast, straightforward, and built for people who already know what bond they need.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is this ERISA fidelity bond different from the general liability insurance policy my plan's advisor mentioned?
They cover completely different risks. General liability insurance protects against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims — it has nothing to do with employee benefit plans. This ERISA fidelity bond is a federal requirement that specifically covers the plan against dishonest acts by the people who handle plan funds. Your plan may need both, but they serve separate purposes and neither substitutes for the other.
What if a theft is discovered after the three-year term ends but the dishonest act happened while the bond was active?
ERISA fidelity bonds are typically written on a discovery basis, meaning coverage applies based on when the loss is discovered, not when the act occurred. If you discover a loss after this term ends but the wrongful act took place during the active period, whether you can make a claim depends on the specific bond form and any successor coverage in place. The key is to maintain continuous bonding and report any suspected dishonesty as soon as it comes to light — do not wait to investigate internally before notifying your surety.
How do I know what bond amount to buy for this Arkansas ERISA bond?
Federal law sets a general baseline: the bond must cover at least 10% of the plan funds handled by the bonded individual in the prior plan year, with a minimum floor and a statutory maximum for plans that hold employer securities. If a client contract, investment advisor agreement, or plan document specifies a higher limit, that requirement controls. Review your current plan asset value and any contractual obligations before selecting your bond amount — the Inflation Guard provision on this three-year bond will help account for asset growth over the term.
What happens after I click Buy This Bond Online?
You'll open the My Bond App portal in a new tab where you can complete the secure online bond application and finish your purchase. Your Bond Titan tab stays open so you can come back and keep browsing.
Can I buy this bond entirely online?
Yes. Bond Titan connects you directly to the online bond application — there's no paperwork to mail in and no agent appointment required to get started.
Is Bond Titan a licensed agency?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, a licensed surety bond agency. We've built Bond Titan so you can find the exact bond you were told to buy and get to the purchase flow in seconds.