The 1974 enactment of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") brought to the federal courts an array of claims that had previously been decided under a patchwork of state and local laws. The many subsequent changes in employee retirement options and the resulting federal regulations have created a complex legal web for attorneys to navigate. Written by a team of authors with many years of ERISA litigation experience and using a Q&A format it is filled with practical illustrations and practice tips and provides a comprehensive overview of this important area.

ERISA Benefits Litigation Answer Book provides a comprehensive overview, in question and answer format, of the various causes of action the Employee Retirement Income Security Act provides to remedy violations of the statute, enforce the terms of a benefit plan, or provide other relief to a plan, its participants or its fiduciaries.Written by a team of authors with many years of ERISA litigation experience, and filled with practical illustrations and tips, ERISA Benefits Litigation Answer Book describes the legal requirements of, defenses to, and unique aspects of litigation involving: stock drops, ESOPs, cash balance plans, prohibited transactions, 401(K) fees, recovery of benefits due under a plan, multi-employer plans, managed care plans, and discrimination and interference with benefits rights. Also covered are chapters discussing litigation of claims arising under federal common law, affirmative defenses to ERISA claims, and limitations on actions under ERISA.

Taking a practical 'how to' approach, ERISA Law Answer Book emphasizes decision making as it focuses on questions commonly asked of pension and health plan advisors in connection with the administration of retirement programs. Rather than merely citing the Code and Regulations for authority and identifying cases which support the proposition or answer given, this work sets forth a discussion of case authorities which have dealt with the relevant situation at hand, and provides a careful analysis of how those cases apply. Key topics covered include: Benefit arrangements subject to ERISA -- Construing and interpreting ERISA plans -- Notice, reporting, and disclosure -- Plan funding -- Plan distribution -- Benefit accrual and vesting -- Fiduciary duties and liabilities -- Preemption -- Standard of review -- Bankruptcy.

Handbook on ERISA Litigation cuts through complicated statutory provisions andtells you which ERISA claims are recognized by which courts and how tolitigate them.