Opinion ID: 202873
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The ERISA Remedial Scheme

Text: ERISA is a comprehensive and reticulated statute, Nachman Corp. v. Pension Benefit Guar. Corp., 446 U.S. 359, 361, 100 S.Ct. 1723, 64 L.Ed.2d 354 (1980), which reflects significant congressional study and compromise. Mertens, 508 U.S. at 251, 262-63, 113 S.Ct. 2063. Within that compromise, ERISA's section 502, 29 U.S.C. § 1132, governs civil enforcement. See Mass. Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Russell, 473 U.S. 134, 139-40, 105 S.Ct. 3085, 87 L.Ed.2d 96 (1985). Two provisions in section 502 are at the heart of this case. Section 502(a)(1)(B) empowers a participant or beneficiary to bring suit to recover benefits due to him under the terms of his plan, to enforce his rights under the terms of the plan, or to clarify his rights to future benefits under the terms of the plan. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B). Section 502(a)(3) allows a participant, beneficiary, or fiduciary to sue (A) to enjoin any act or practice which violates any provision of this subchapter or the terms of the plan, or (B) to obtain other appropriate equitable relief (i) to redress such violations or (ii) to enforce any provisions of this subchapter or the terms of the plan. Id. § 1132(a)(3). Mrs. Todisco contends that in seeking to apply equitable estoppel, she is simply seeking appropriate equitable relief within the meaning of section 502(a)(3)(B). In the alternative, she contends that equitable estoppel should operate to allow her to seek benefits due to her under the terms of her plan within the meaning of section 502(a)(1)(B).