### Question
What does multiple employer welfare arrangement mean?


### Answer
**Multiple employer welfare arrangement** has the following meaning in *29 U.S.C. § 1002*:

> an employee welfare benefit plan, or any other arrangement (other than an employee welfare benefit plan), which is established or maintained for the purpose of offering or providing any benefit described in paragraph (1) to the employees of two or more employers (including one or more self-employed individuals), or to their beneficiaries, except that such term does not include any such plan or other arrangement which is established or maintained—


(i) under or pursuant to one or more agreements which the Secretary finds to be collective bargaining agreements,


(ii) by a rural electric cooperative, or


(iii) by a rural telephone cooperative association

#### Citation:
  - *29 U.S.C. § 1002*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 17-COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS > SUBCHAPTER I-PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RIGHTS > Subtitle A-General Provisions**

