Breaking News

MetLife v. Glenn

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
06-923 6th Cir. Apr 23, 2008 Jun 19, 2008 6-3 Breyer OT 2007

Holding: (1) Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. v. Bruch sets out four principles as to the appropriate standard of judicial review under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; (2) a plan administrator's dual role of both evaluating and paying benefits claims creates the kind of conflict of interest referred to in Firestone; and (3) the significance of the conflict of interest factor will depend upon the circumstances of the particular case. There is nothing improper in the way the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit conducted its review.

Judgment: Affirmed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer on June 19, 2008. Chief Justice Roberts joined the majority opinion as to all but Part IV. Chief Justice Roberts filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Justice Kennedy filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Briefs and Documents

Certiorari stage

Merits briefs (via ABA)

Amicus briefs