Federal 7th Circuit Court
Civil Court
Employee Retirement Income Security Act
In a case involving a narrow question but a complicated statutory analysis, the Seventh Circuit reviewed an order of the district court that interpreted statutory language concerning multi-employer pension plans. The parties to the case, which included contributing employers to a pension fund disagreed over how to calculate withdrawal liability obligations. The district court concluded that under the language of 29 U.S.C. § 1085(g)(3), the employers’ post-2014 contribution rate increases should be excluded from the calculation. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, describing the district court’s opinion as well-reasoned despite the complexity of the question. (LEE and KOLAR, concurring)