Changing pension plan terms
CIGNA v. Amara
In brief
The Court said §502(a)(1)(B) did not let the judge rewrite CIGNA’s plan, but §502(a)(3) permits other suitable remedies; it wiped out the judgment and sent the case back to the lower court.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 8-0 · May 16, 2011 · Opinion by Justice Breyer
- What it’s about
- CIGNA workers said its pension summary misstated their benefits.
- Who it affects
- The ruling allows plan participants, beneficiaries and fiduciaries to seek suitable court remedies under §502(a)(3) for violations of ERISA or plan terms.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court ruled §502(a)(1)(B) did not let the district court rewrite the plan, but §502(a)(3) allows suitable relief for violations of ERISA or plan terms; it wiped out the judgment (vacated it) and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded).
The dispute focused on CIGNA’s summary plan description, a document meant to explain participants’ rights and duties under the plan.
Question presented
Did the district court have authority under Section 502(a)(1)(B) of ERISA to reform CIGNA's pension plan?
What the Court decided
Holding
Although §502(a)(1)(B) did not give the District Court authority to reform CIGNA’s plan, relief is authorized by §502(a)(3), which allows a participant, beneficiary, or fiduciary “to obtain other appropriate equitable relief” to redress violations of ERISA “or the [plan’s] terms.”
- Result
- Vacated
The Court's reasoning
The Court distinguished between enforcing benefits promised by a plan and seeking other suitable court remedies (equitable relief) for ERISA or plan-term violations. It said §502(a)(1)(B) did not allow rewriting the plan, while §502(a)(3) permits those other remedies.
The vote
What's next
The Second Circuit will revisit the case under the Court’s ruling that §502(a)(3) permits appropriate equitable relief.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
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Audio Recording added: Oral Arguments - Amara
Opinion added: Amara
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.