Opinion ID: 1310753
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the date of anderson's disability

Text: We must now determine whether the Trustees abused their discretion when they determined the date of Anderson's disability. A plan administrator abuses its discretion if it renders a decision without any explanation, construes provisions of the plan in a way that conflicts with the plain language of the plan, or fails to develop facts necessary to its determination. Schikore v. BankAmerica Supplemental Ret. Plan, 269 F.3d 956, 960 (9th Cir.2001). The date of Anderson's disability is crucial to his benefits calculation. If Anderson became disabled after May 1, 1998, he would receive disability payments based on Benefit Credits he actually earned during his years of employment. However, if Anderson became disabled before May 1, 1998, he would receive disability payments calculated as if he continued to work from the date of his disability all the way up until his normal retirement age. All of the future years Anderson would not be working would still count toward his accumulation of Benefit Credits. Based on this enhanced number of Benefit Credits, Anderson would receive a greater monthly payment than if he were disabled after May 1, 1998. The Trustees did not abuse their discretion in determining the date of Anderson's disability. The standard for disability in both the 1995 Plan and the 1999 Plan requires that the disability prevent the employee from pursuing any and all gainful occupations and from performing any work for compensation or benefit.  1995 and 1999 Plans, § 6.03 (emphasis added). Although he claims to have been disabled as of June 1, 1997, Anderson worked for fifty-one days from June to October in 2001. His employment was a gainful occupation. In return for his work, he earned a paycheck and even received Benefit Credits under the Plan. Following the plain language of the Plan, the Trustees had a reasonable basis to conclude that Anderson was not totally and permanently disabled until the end of his employment in 2001. [4] The Trustees did not abuse their discretion in applying § 6.02(a) of the Plan and calculating Anderson's benefits based on the Benefit Credits he actually earned.