# 29 C.F.R. § 2570.159 (2026): Review by the Secretary

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_159

## Section

- **Citation:** 29 C.F.R. § 2570.159 (2026)
- **Heading:** Review by the Secretary
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 29 CFR: Labor / Chapter XXV: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR / Part 2570: PROCEDURAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT / Subpart H: Procedures for Issuance of Findings Under ERISA Sec. 3(40) / § 2570.159: § 2570.159   Review by the Secretary.

## Text

(a) A request for review by the Secretary of an appealable decision of the administrative law judge may be made by any party. Such a request must be filed within 20 days of the issuance of the final decision or the final decision of the administrative law judge will become the final agency order for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 701
et seq.
(b) A request for review by the Secretary shall state with specificity the issue(s) in the administrative law judge's final decision upon which review is sought. The request shall be served on all parties to the proceeding.
(c) The review by the Secretary shall not be a de novo proceeding but rather a review of the record established by the administrative law judge.
(d) The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the submission of supplemental briefs by the parties to the proceeding.
(e) The Secretary shall issue a decision as promptly as possible, affirming, modifying, or setting aside, in whole or in part, the decision under review, and shall set forth a brief statement of reasons therefor. Such decision by the Secretary shall be the final agency action within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 704.

## Nearby sections

- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.150 (2026) § 2570.150   Scope of rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_150.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.151 (2026) § 2570.151   In general.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_151.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.152 (2026) § 2570.152   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_152.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.153 (2026) § 2570.153   Parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_153.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.154 (2026) § 2570.154   Filing and contents of petition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_154.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.155 (2026) § 2570.155   Service.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_155.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.156 (2026) § 2570.156   Expedited proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_156.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.157 (2026) § 2570.157   Allocation of burden of proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_157.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.158 (2026) § 2570.158   Decision of the Administrative Law Judge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_158.md)
- [29 C.F.R. § 2570.159 (2026) § 2570.159   Review by the Secretary.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_159.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T29_P2570_S2570_159. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.