On November 24, 2021, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) released a Fact Sheet stating that “In FY 2021, EBSA [the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration] recovered over $2.4 billion for plans, participants and beneficiaries” via its plan investigations and other enforcement activities. That amount included the following:
The Fact Sheet also states that “EBSA’s enforcement program also obtains non-monetary corrections and injunctive relief in civil cases that result in increased protections for plans and their participants. In FY 2021, EBSA obtained 449 non-monetary corrections. Examples of these results included removal of 6 fiduciaries, orders barring 34 individuals from acting as fiduciaries, court appointments of 16 independent fiduciaries, and 124 cases involving reforms of plan procedures, such as improved search procedures for missing participants.” In addition, during FY 2021, EBSA opened 188 criminal investigations and closed 208 criminal investigations.