Opinion ID: 655521
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Standard of Review for Denial of Eligibility Under an ERISA Plan

Text: 11 A denial of benefits under an ERISA plan is reviewed either de novo or, where the plan delegates discretionary authority to an administrator or fiduciary to determine eligibility for benefits or to interpret the terms of the plan, for an abuse of discretion. Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. v. Bruch, 489 U.S. 101, 115, 109 S.Ct. 948, 956, 103 L.Ed.2d 80 (1989). Perdue contends that the district court committed reversible error in reviewing the Committee's denial of benefits under summary judgment standards, instead of under either of the two ERISA standards. 12 The parties agree that the district court should have reviewed the Committee's determination for an abuse of discretion. Although this standard was not applied, the district court's de novo review accorded the Committee's determination no deference and thus, could not possibly have harmed Perdue. The district court's error is harmless and not a ground for reversal. 13