The term "plan participant" refers to an individual who is eligible to receive benefits from a retirement or benefit plan. This can include employees, former employees, and sometimes their beneficiaries, depending on the specifics of the plan. Plan participants may be entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act), such as access to information about the plan's features and funding, and the right to bring legal action for breaches of fiduciary duty or other violations of the law.