Opinion ID: 173652
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Disclaimer Clause

Text: Appellants argue that the district court erred in applying the language of the “Disability Plan” booklet in light of the disclaimer in that booklet. The “Disability Plan” booklet states that the SPD “does not determine rights under the LTD Plan but is intended only to summarize the important provisions of the LTD Plan” and that in the event of any inconsistency between the SPD and the policy, “the terms of the Plan Document will govern.” This court held in Pisciotta that a similar disclaimer which “clearly stated that the contract was the controlling document” and “was available for review by any employee who wished to see it” was enforceable. 91 F.3d at 1331. Enforcement of the disclaimer is not precluded by Bergt, 293 F.3d at 1144-45 (applying language from the plan master document which was more favorable to the employee than the SPD language); since Bergt makes no reference to any disclaimer clause being present in that case, nor does it discuss the holding in Pisciotta regarding the effect of a disclaimer clause, it is not 6 controlling here. The “Legal and Administrative Overview” booklet informed Paine Webber employees that the insurance policy was the controlling document, and also informed them that the insurance policy was available for review by any employee who wished to see it and told them how to find it. Under Pisciotta, the disclaimer in this case is enforceable, and the district court should have applied the language found in the policy.