I worked for Lockheed Martin 30 years and could not afford insurance. Does ERISA provide health insurance benefits to its pensioners under the health care act?

Answer 1

You have asked a complicated and somewhat confused question. Briefly:

Erisa and the Affordable Health Care Act are two separate Federal Laws. One does not provide benefits under the other.

ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which is a federal law that established guidelines for private pension plan administration and investment practices. There is currently a class action suit against Lockheed by retirement plan participants who allege the company caused huge losses to the retirement plan.

The Affordable Health Care Act is a federal law that includes multiple provisions that would take effect over a matter of years, including the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, the establishment of health insurance exchanges and prohibiting health insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

If you are not at retirement age you can apply for insurance coverage under the Affordable Health Care Act. You must check to see if your state has its own exchange or you must apply through the federal website.