Brandon v. Travelers Insurance

GOLDBERG, Circuit Judge:

Richard Brandon designated his wife, Wanda Sue Brandon, as the beneficiary on a life insurance policy taken out by his employer, Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”). The Brandons subsequently divorced. The divorce decree provided that each spouse would separately retain his or her own employment benefits. Richard did not, however, change the beneficiary designation on the life insurance policy as required by the Summary Plan Documents given to him by Abbott when the policy was established.

Upon Richard’s death, a conflict arose as to whether Wanda was entitled to receive his…