Pre-existing Electronic Delivery Rule

The new safe harbor is an additional option for electronic disclosure and does not replace the prior DOL e-disclosure rule that allowed for electronic delivery to those employees that were “wired at work.” The new safe harbor rule only applies to retirement plans (and is voluntary) and not employee welfare benefit plans, such as plans providing group health or disability benefits.

“A 2019 survey found that 90% of U.S. adults use the internet, representing a substantial increase from 2000 when 52% of U.S. adults reported using the internet.” — Pew Research Center, “10% of Americans don’t use the internet.”