Church pension plan rules
Dignity Health v. Rollins
In brief
The Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit's judgment in Dignity Health v. Rollins.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · June 5, 2017 · Opinion by Justice Kagan
- What it’s about
- Dignity Health and Starla Rollins disputed whether a pension plan managed by a church-affiliated organization qualified for ERISA’s church-plan exemption even if no church initially established it. The Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit’s judgment.
- Who it affects
- The Ninth Circuit's judgment in the dispute between Dignity Health and Rollins no longer stands.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
ERISA provides an exemption for church plans, and this dispute concerned a pension plan managed by a church-affiliated organization.
Question presented
Whether the church plan exemption applies so long as a pension plan is maintained by an otherwise qualifying church-affiliated organization, or whether the exemption applies only if, in addition, a church initially established the plan?
What the Court decided
Holding
Judgment reversed. Kagan, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which all other Members joined, except Gorsuch, J., who took no part in the consideration or decision of these cases. Sotomayor, J., filed a concurring opinion. VIDED.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
- Majority author
- Elana Kagan
What's next
The disposition gives no further instruction to the Ninth Circuit or the parties.
Documents
Opinions
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Opinion added: Stapleton
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.