How often should health plan documents be reviewed and updated?
Last updated October 2, 2026
Review plan documents, the wrap, SPDs, and the cafeteria plan at least annually — ideally alongside renewal — and update them whenever benefits, carriers, eligibility, or the law change. SPDs must be re-furnished every five years if the plan has been amended, every ten regardless.
Plan documents drift out of date quietly: a carrier changes at renewal, a benefit is added mid-year, eligibility is tweaked for a new employee class. Each of those changes belongs in the documents, and several trigger participant notices.
A sustainable rhythm looks like:
- Annually at renewal: confirm the wrap and cafeteria plan reflect the actual benefit lineup, carriers, and eligibility.
- On every material change: amend the plan and distribute an SMM (60 days for material reductions).
- SPD refresh: a restated SPD every 5 years if amendments occurred, every 10 years otherwise.
Making document review a standing fiduciary committee agenda item is the simplest way to keep this from slipping — and the minutes prove it happened.
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