Today, the Supreme Court handed a long-awaited victory to religiously affiliated organizations operating pension plans under ERISA’s “church plan” exemption. In a surprising 8-0 ruling, the Court agreed with the Defendants that the exemption applies to pension plans maintained by church affiliated organizations such as healthcare facilities, even if the plans were not established
Church Plans
ANOTHER ERISA CHURCH PLAN CLASS ACTION SETTLES
By René E. Thorne & Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in Church Plans, ERISA
Citing to the “significant uncertainties in predicting the outcome” of their litigation “where the critical issue is pending before the Supreme Court” (oral argument on the scope of ERISA’s church plan exemption is set in three consolidated cases for March 27), Plaintiffs in Butler et al. vs. Holy Cross Hospital, another church plan class…
Church Plan Cases: Federal Agencies Finally Speak
By René E. Thorne & Jackson Lewis P.C. on
As many of you know, currently pending before the Supreme Court are consolidated cases from the Third, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits holding that, for religiously affiliated employers, employee benefits plans must initially be established by a church for the plans to be exempt from ERISA as “church plans.” The circuit courts issued these holdings when,…
Recent Decision in Colorado Expands Church Plan Exemption Under ERISA While Third Circuit and Other District Courts Uphold Narrow Interpretation
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in Church Plans
Does a benefit plan, to fall within the so-called “church plan exemption,” have to be directly established by a religious entity? Or is it enough for the benefit plan to be established by an organization, such as a medical institution, that is itself established by a religious entity? That is the question that a number…