Sharon Wade v. Aetna Life Insurance Company

RILEY, Chief Judge.

Aetna Life Insurance Company, as the plan administrator, determined Sharon Wade was no longer disabled and stopped paying long-term disability benefits from Wade’s former employer’s welfare benefit plan. Wade sought judicial review of Aetna’s decision by filing a civil action under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 'U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. The district court 1 granted summary judgment in favor of Aetna, concluding Aetna did not abuse its discretion in terminating Wade’s benefits because substantial evidence supported the decision.

On appeal, Wade…