In re the Claim of Sherbell

— Weiss, J.

Appeal from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, filed June 10, 1986, which reduced claimant’s unemployment insurance benefits pursuant to Labor Law § 600 (7) (a). "•

Claimant’s eight years of employment pursuant to written contracts was terminated because he and the employer were unable to agree on a new employment contract. The previous contracts contained a clause entitled "Retirement Benefits and Other Payments in Lieu of Severance Payment”, under which the employer commenced payments of $400 monthly for claimant’s life. Upon his death, payments were to…