ERISA: Disability Benefits – Termination – Ability To Work

Where a claimant filed an ERISA action challenging the termination of his disability benefits, the district court properly applied the abuse-of-discretion standard because the plan documents gave the employer’s insurance carrier discretionary authority, and the termination was supported by substantial evidence that the claimant was able to work.

Judgment is affirmed.

Siegel v. Connecticut General Life Insurance  Company (MLW No. 64508/Case No. 12-1897 – 8 pages) (U.S. Court of Appeals, 8^th Circuit, Murphy, J.) Appealed from U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa, Shields, J. (Mark D. DeBofsky,  Chicago, argued for appellant) (Daniel Keenan Ryan, Chicago, argued for appellee; Patrick Driscoll and Stephen Swofford appeared on the brief).

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