Supreme Court of the United States
Central Laborers’ Pension Fund v. Heinz
June 7, 2004541 U.S. 739
Summary
The Court held that ERISA's anti-cutback rule prohibits a pension plan amendment that expands the definition of disqualifying employment to suspend early retirement benefits that have already accrued. The amendment reduced the value of participants' accrued benefits by imposing new conditions on receiving those benefits. Justice Breyer filed a concurring opinion noting the assumption that the opinion does not foreclose regulations explicitly allowing such amendments.