Equitable Life Assurance Society v. Stitzel

SHEELY, J.,

—Plaintiff, Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (Equitable), insured the life of Valerie L. Stitzel, deceased, under a Group Insurance Policy No. 11997 issued to employes of PPG Industries, Inc. On June 1, 1977 the deceased designated Michael W. Stitzel, her husband, as the revocable beneficiary of the life insurance policy. She made a similar designation for her employe savings plan andfor the plan authorizing deductions from her pay for the purchase of U.S. Savings bonds.

In the fall of 1978 the deceased and her husband began experiencing marital difficulties. In…