Many sponsors of private funds, particularly hedge funds, rely on the 25% or significant participant test in order to avoid holding plan assets under ERISA. Equity participation in an entity by benefit plan investors is “significant” on any date if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of any equity interest in the entity, 25 percent or more of the value of any class of equity interests in the entity is held by benefit plan investors. Investments by the fund’s investment manager and its affiliates are disregarded. There is little guidance in terms of what constitutes separate equity classes. Some ERISA attorneys will look to see how “class” is defined under the securities laws, such as the Exchange Ac or the ’40 Act. Yet others consider other factors, as well. Is it described in the offering materials as a class? Would the different features (e.g., different fees, liquidity terms, etc.) render it a different class under local law?
