Bland v. Fiatallis North America, Inc.

CUDAHY, Circuit Judge.

A “lifetime” can be a slippery concept in the context of retiree benefits litigation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1001 et seq. (2005). This case asks us to consider, on the heels of Vallone v. CNA Financial Corporation, 375 F.3d 623 (7th Cir.2004), whether designating retiree benefits as “lifetime” really means “for life.” Unlike previous cases, where the interpretation of explicit “lifetime” language was constrained by reservation of rights clauses allowing an employer to modify or terminate retiree welfare benefits, the plan…