### Question
How is the term participant defined?


### Answer
The term **participant** is defined in *29 U.S.C. § 1002* as the following:

> any employee or former employee of an employer, or any member or former member of an employee organization, who is or may become eligible to receive a benefit of any type from an employee benefit plan which covers employees of such employer or members of such organization, or whose beneficiaries may be eligible to receive any such benefit

#### Citation:
  - *29 U.S.C. § 1002*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 18-EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY PROGRAM > SUBCHAPTER I-PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RIGHTS > Subtitle A-General Provisions**

