Under ERISA, what is the minimum working requirement for employees to be included in qualified plans?

The correct choice highlights the specific criteria outlined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) for employees to be eligible for participation in qualified plans. Under ERISA, employees must be at least 21 years old and must have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in a year to qualify for participation in such retirement plans.

This provision ensures that employees who have made a significant commitment to their jobs, as indicated by the number of hours worked, can benefit from these retirement savings opportunities. It effectively balances the employer's need to manage the costs associated with retirement plans while also providing employees with access to pension benefits after reaching a sufficient level of employment.

The other criteria listed, such as tenure of two years, completion of an annual performance review, or holding a college degree, do not align with the ERISA provisions related to qualified plans. Instead, the focus is on age and hours worked, reflecting the legislation’s intent to standardize eligibility without imposing additional educational or performance review requirements.