George Nikaido v. The Centennial Life Insurance Company, Hughes Aircraft Company Income Insurance Plan, and Hughes Aircraft Company

BRUNETTI, Circuit Judge:

George Nikaido brought this action against The Centennial Life Insurance Company (“Centennial”), Hughes Aircraft Company Income Insurance Plan (“Plan”), and Hughes Aircraft Company (“Hughes”) to recover disability benefits allegedly due under the Plan. The district court granted Centennial’s motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6), holding that the action is barred by the statute of hmitations. We reverse.

I

Nikaido became disabled in January 1980 while employed by Hughes and submitted a claim for disability benefits under the Plan. Centennial, the…