ESG Investing Under ERISA

Abstract

The Department of Labor (“DOL”), through its administration of ERISA,has a critical role to play in the regulation of private“employee pension benefit plans.”Most importantly, the DOL is tasked with enforcing the fiduciary duties of ERISA plan managers (trustees who retain investment and voting authority or “investment managers”who receive such authority through delegation by the trustees).Under ERISA, plan managers owe the strictest duties of loyalty and care to their participants and beneficiaries. They are to be constantly guided by the fiduciary prin-ciples of acting solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing financial benefits to them.