John Klaas v. Allstate Insurance Company
ERISA
Did the Eleventh Circuit critically err by concluding that the written agreements by the parties unambiguously reserved to Allstate the right to terminate all those benefits?
QUESTIONS PRESENTED First Question In an issue of critical importance affecting approximately hundreds of Allstate retirees, as well as ERISA beneficiaries elsewhere, who retired early upon the promise, inter alia, of life insurance benefits for the remainder of their lives, the Eleventh Circuit held that Allstate effectively reserved the right to cancel all the promised benefits at any time, even the day after the employees accepted the early retirement and signed waivers of valuable legal rights based upon promises of retirement benefits. The question is this: Did the Eleventh Circuit critically err by concluding that the written agreements by the parties unambiguously reserved to Allstate the right to terminate all those benefits? Second Question The Plaintiff in this case fully supports the Petition filed by the Turner Plaintiffs in the companion action filed this date with the Court in all respects and respectfully requests that this Court grant the aforesaid Petition. Did the Eleventh Circuit critically err by applying the limitations period at 29 U.S.C. 1113(L(A)? Was the Eleventh Circuit required to analyze Plaintiffs’ fraud claims under an “in equity” standard, as opposed to “in law,” and by not doing so, does its decision conflict with Cigna v. Amara?