Book excerpt: Basic Plan Finance and Taxation; Economic Aspects of Plans; Traditional Frameworks for Plan Regulation; Legislative Background to Erisa; Benefit Protection: Vesting; Benefit Protection: Participation, Accrual and Non-Interference; Benefit Distribution: Substantive Standards; Taxation of Distributions; Benefit Payment: Procedure; Plan Information; Fiduciary Regulation; Prohibited Transactions; Employer Securities and Employee Stock Ownership Plans; Preemption; Procedure; Nondiscrimination: Coverage; Nondiscrimination: Contributions or Benefits; Additional Limits on Contributions and Benefits; Cash or Deferred Arrangements; Funding and Contributions; Plan Termination.