Raymond Zielinski, Individually and on Behalf of All Persons Similarly Situated v. Pabst Brewing Company, Inc.

POSNER, Circuit Judge.

This case raises in a novel setting the vexing question of the interpretation of ERISA welfare plans that specify no date of termination.

Back in 1971, Blue Cross-Blue Shield offered a prescription-drug plan that reimbursed enrolled members’ entire drug costs subject only to a $2 deductible for a 34-day supply of the drug. Beginning in 1973 several Milwaukee breweries, including Pabst and Schlitz, agreed in successive collective bargaining agreements with a local union to provide the coverage described in the Blue Cross-Blue Shield plan to their retired employees plus…