U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Retiree Health Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will hear the case of M&G Polymers USA, LLC v. Tackett, which involves when retiree health benefits are considered to be vested.

Earlier this week, the Court agreed to hear the issue of whether courts should presume that silence regarding the duration of retiree health benefits in CBAs means that the parties intended those benefits to vest (or alternatively, whether a clear statement or at least some language regarding vesting must be included). The Court declined to hear the second issue presented of whether different rules of construction should apply when interpreting “pure” ERISA plans rather than collectively bargained plans.

ERIC members and trial members can read more here.
The 6th Circuit’s decision is available here.
Additional information is available here.