Handbook on ERISA Litigation cuts through complicated statutory provisions and tells you which ERISA claims are recognized by which courts and how to litigate them. Helpful litigation checklists and forms are provided on key aspects of ERISA litigation as well as hundreds of citations to leading federal and state cases. Every major claim area under ERISA is covered: Fiduciary liability Violation of ERISA reporting and notification requirements ERISA discrimination claims and related statutory claims Plan termination claims Overfunded and underfunded plans Tax litigation Claims by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) The Handbook helps you to counsel clients more knowledgeably and to litigate ERISA disputes more effectively by identifying the issues, presenting litigation strategies, and reducing the time needed to prepare pleadings and briefs. In one, easy-to-read volume, you'll find expert analysis of: The structure and scope of ERISA, so you can easily determine whether and in what fashion ERISA is relevant to the resolution of a dispute Exceptions to ERISA and preemption issues, keeping you fully apprised of the extent to which ERISA can be used by or against you, particularly with respect to preemption laws The procedural rules of the road, providing you with practical insights into jurisdictional, venue, standing, discovery, and evidentiary issues, and how these may affect the outcome of your cases Handbook on ERISA Litigation has been updated to include: The impact of the Affordable Care Act upon ERISA practice and procedure Expanded coverage of overlapping federal statutory claims such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, federal disability discrimination laws, and other claims of gender and family status discrimination (including same-sex marriage/partnership issues) Expanded discussion of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the continuing fiduciary obligation to monitor plan investments, availability of various forms of relief for ERISA benefits claims and breach of fiduciary duty claims, the enforceability of limitations provisions contained in employee benefit plans, employer stock drop claims, and the supremacy of employee benefit plan terms over equitable or common law principles Continuing developments in ERISA preemption analysis clarifying the scope and reach of federal preemption And more!

The Fourth Edition of ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide provides a thorough and authoritative analysis of the principal statutory provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) dealing with employee benefits. It also discusses and explains the multitude of regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by the Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in explanation of ERISA; the Code provisions relating to the requirements for tax-qualified retirement plans; and the subsequent legislation amending or supplementing ERISA and such Code provisions. Cited by the Supreme Court, ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide discusses and explains the multitude of regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by the Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in explanation of ERISA and the subsequent legislation amending or supplementing ERISA. ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide has been updated to include: A new chapter that focuses on the key federal employment laws, such as the antidiscrimination, wage and hour, and leave laws, which often must be considered by benefits professionals when providing benefits advice to their clients A revised chapter on ERISA preemption, which includes a new discussion of what constitutes a "plan" for purposes of applying ERISA preemption and an updated discussion of the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in Cigna Corp. v. Amara on ERISA preemption A summary of the requirement of providing health plan participants with a Summary of Benefits and Coverage has been added to the discussion of benefit plan notice requirements An update on recent court decisions involving 401(k) fee litigation and the extent to which excessive or undisclosed fees can constitute a breach of ERISA fiduciary duty. The Department of Labor's final regulations issued under ERISA Section 408(b)(2), regarding the disclosure that must be made by service providers to plan fiduciaries concerning the direct and indirect compensation that the service providers receive in connection with providing services to a covered plan A discussion regarding the income tax consequences of employer-paid COBRA premiums A discussion regarding successor liability in asset sale transactions has been added to the chapter on mergers and acquisitions A discussion regarding the extent to which an employer's interference with the benefits of union supporters may constitute an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act

The Fifth Edition of ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide provides a thorough and authoritative analysis of the principal statutory provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) dealing with employee benefits. It also discusses and explains the multitude of regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by the Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in explanation of ERISA; the Code provisions relating to the requirements for tax-qualified retirement plans; and the subsequent legislation amending or supplementing ERISA and such Code provisions. Cited by the Supreme Court, ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide discusses and explains the multitude of regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by the Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in explanation of ERISA and the subsequent legislation amending or supplementing ERISA. ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide has been updated to include: Description of the student loan program 2018 Private Letter Ruling and the resolution of this with the "anti-conditioning" rule. Analysis of the latest version of the EPCRS, which is available for tax-qualified retirement plans with certain compliance failures, as set forth in IRS Revenue Procedure 2019-19, including an update to the IRS user fees that apply to the various correction programs. Discussion of the new self-correction options for participant loan failures, certain non-amender failures, and beneficial retroactive amendments to increase participant's benefits. Description of IRS VCAP, its uses, limitations, and procedural requirements. Description of IRS Revenue Procedure 2015-32 for correction of delinquent Forms 5500-EZ. Analysis of the DOL's guidance on the definition of an "Employer" for ERISA purposes and subsequent Court rulings eviscerating that guidance. Discussion of health plans use of "cross-plan offsetting" as a way of adjusting for overpayments. Discussion of the new DOL regulations governing review and appeal procedures for disability claims. Complete revision of the mergers and acquisitions chapter, including best practice, common pitfalls, a sample merger agreement, merger checklist, and spin-off agreement. Update on 2018 and 2019 court cases that impact labor relations, as well as actions taken by the current administration that overturn prior policies and decisions. Discussion of the most recent actions impacting ACA and litigation surrounding those actions. Discussion of recent court cases regarding discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation. Discussion of ongoing litigation regarding "conscience-based objections" to a provision in the ACA requiring employers to provide no-cost birth control coverage to employees. Description of changes in Fair Labor Standard Act interpretations regarding wages, determination of independent contractor status, and regular rate.

Circuits can vary significantly in their approach to substantive and procedural ERISA issues. The book addresses all the issues that frequently arise in the prosecution and defense of claims for ERISA-regulated benefits.