Document: 445 U.S. 23 100 S.Ct. 895 63 L.Ed.2d 171 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.Patricia Ilene CLARK, Guardian for Shawn D. Clark and Tricia Clark. No. 78-1513. Argued Oct. 31, 1979. Decided Feb. 26, 1980. Syllabus Held: Under the provisions of Civil Service Retirement Act whereby a deceased federal employee's legitimate children under 18 years age qualify survivors' benefits but "recognized natural" may recover only if they "lived with employee . in regular parent-child relationship," recognized natural child is entitled to when has lived "regular regardless whether was living at time his death. This construction statutory fair reasonable light language, purpose, history enactment avoids serious constitutional question equal protection component Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment. Even with" requirement assumed serve as device thwart fraudulent claims dependency or parentage promote efficient administration by facilitating prompt identification eligible annuitants, construe provision applying illegitimate death would raise problems that this Court must seek avoid adopting saving not odds fundamental legislative purposes. Pp. 26-34. 590 F.2d 343, 218 Ct.Cl. 705, affirmed. Harriet S. Shapiro, Washington, C., appellant. Edward L. Merrigan, appellee. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 appeal presents civil service are once familial relationship, were 2 * George Isaacson appellee Patricia together from 1965 through 1971 without benefit matrimony. They had two children, Clark, born 1968 1971, respectively, four family. After separated, filed state-court action Montana seeking determination paternity children. In June 1972, court issued decree determining father ordering him contribute their support. provided monthly support payments up 1974. 3 At death, covered Act, 5 U.S.C. § 8331 et seq. The provides each surviving annuity. 8341(e)(1). All adopted these benefits, stepchildren relationship." 8341(a)(3)(A). September 1974, Commission's Bureau Retirement, Insurance, Occupational Health denied appellee's application such annuities Tricia. held 8341(a)(3)(A) bars recovery otherwise qualified out wedlock who, like Tricia, Board Appeals Review affirmed.1 4 then Claims on behalf her She argued allows where, here, relationship. Alternatively she contended that, interpretation correct, violated Amendment because it impermissibly discriminated against granted motion summary judgment. 705. Ignoring issue, relief authority its earlier decision Gentry v. United States, 546 212 (1976), rehearing denied, 551 852, 27 (1977), which unconstitutionally We postponed consideration our jurisdiction pending hearing merits, 441 960, 99 2403, 60 1064 (1979), now affirm ground presented addressed Claims.2 II 6 all grants same Such classification based illegitimacy unconstitutional unless bears "an evident substantial relation particular interests statute designed serve." Lalli Lalli, 439 259, 268, 518, 524, 58 503 (1978) (plurality opinion); see id., 279, 530 (BRENNAN, J., dissenting). See also Trimble Gordon, 430 762, 767, 97 1459, 1463, 52 31 (1977).3 Government's asserted justification classification—that an administratively convenient means identifying who actually deprived death—is itself open question, since does condition showing. 7 It well settled will pass constitutionality Congress fairly possible be avoided. E. g., Califano Yamasaki, 442 682, 693, 2545, 2553, 61 176 (1979); New York City Transit Authority Beazer, 440 568, 582, n. 22, 1355, 1364, 59 587 Machinists Street, 367 740, 749-750, 81 1784, 1789-1790, 1141 (1961); Spector Motor Service, Inc. McLaughlin, 323 101, 105, 65 152, 154, 89 L.Ed. 101 (1944). Where both issue raised, we not, course, foreclosed considering merely lower failed address it. supra, S.Ct., 2553; University California Regents Bakke, 438 265, 328, 98 2733, 2768, 57 750 (opinion BRENNAN, WHITE, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, JJ.); 281, 2743 POWELL, J.); 411-412, 2810-2811 STEVENS, J.). Accordingly, turn determine resolution necessary disposition case. 8 did meet decedent family birth 1971. If language unnecessary. Commission, however, construed require 9 When considered face, reading least plausible Government. father, believe those words ordinarily imply temporal limitation. Moreover, demonstrated other social welfare legislation knows how restrict class beneficiaries individual time.4 10 can find nothing indicate harmony congressional intent. original 1948 made annuity payable unmarried child, including dependent stepchild eighteen years, physical mental disability incapable self-support." 28, 1948, 11, 62 Stat. 55. amount depended another parent survived. Although expressly included, seemingly broad enough cover them.5 Government argues granting intended provide funds replace lost wage earner's dependents. views scheme pay thought most likely have been earner, take account likelihood supplementary parent. note, required show dependency.6 11 1956, amended definition include (1) (2) received more than one-half July Title IV, 1(j), 70 744.7 For first explicitly eligibility subject originally applicable stepchildren. 12 devoid any indication could recovered Nor do materials illuminate purpose requirement. defends rational indicator parentage. An parent, according view, true apart seems unlikely viewed ascertaining either parentage, prove he child." Those speak directly concerns raised Government, additional therefore superfluous mandated parent's rather some time. 13 urges thwarting eligibile annuitants. facts case, narrowly tailored furthering goal. As Jimenez Weinberger, 417 628, 636, 94 2496, 2501, 41 363 (1974), prevention fraud goal, necessarily follow "that blanket conclusive exclusion [appellee's] subclass illegitimates reasonably related spurious claims." Thus, even prevent administration, raises 14 sum, 1956 amendments no direct guidance restricted less restrictive proposed appears enactment, question. Before conclude inquiry, consider 1966 amendment affected children's right recovery. 15 enacted upon request Executive Branch's Committee Federal Staff Systems. One removed order annuities. 18, 1966, V, 502, 80 300. deleted ensure female servants, typically earned husbands accordingly contributed half children.8 proof retained claimants. reason retaining clearly explained Cabinet report, simple stated: 16 "Stepchildren present latter should retained; but, fulfilled, paid regard requirement." H.R.Doc.No. 402, 89th Cong., 2d Sess., (1966). 17 evidence method employee. proposition implausible, sentence recommended met "as Committee's use word "retained" further intend assume new function previously performed position again unnecessarily demonstrate decedent. absence persuasive contrary, therefore, Congress' failure alter likewise modify envisioned it.9 satisfied Our available convinces us enactment.10 Furthermore, By so holding, creating undue administrative difficulties Commission. example, Commission relied court's affidavits concerning Similar documentary equally probative claiming ever relationship.11 judgment 19 Affirmed. 20 whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, concurring 21 case employee, after legal obligation until receive "child" includes 8341(a)(3) (A)(ii). Because I agree satisfy definition, concur write separately Court's compatible intent difficulties. 22 recognizes governmental purposes providing dependence. concludes requires Ante, 30. agree. cannot accept easily conclusion dependency. demonstrates interpreted demand child's come eliminate entirely matter common sense, statement fulfills need requirement, ante, 32, quoting H.R.Doc. (1966), indicates test functional equivalent assumption contrary deprives purpose. Rather identifiable actual 24 though presumed dependent, Mathews Lucas, 427 495, 507-509, 96 2755, 2763-2764, 49 651 long substantially achievement 275-276, 528-529, 770-773, 1465-1466, (1977). infirmity dependent. because, bar part lives, death.* 25 recognition claim frustrate hold continuing relationship past receiving apart, 8341(a)(3)(A)(ii). believe, needs circumstances domestic situation far distant period life go concluding 26 REHNQUIST, STEWART dissenting. am full agreement resolved prior decided (1976). disagree issue. dissent, remand instance. 28 courts resolve cases basis questions nonconstitutional might available. A award absent conferred Congress. violates prudential jurisdictional limitations, standard practice InYouakim Miller, 425 231, 1399, 47 701 found holding possibly avoided requirements. remanded, finding dispositive, "but aired District Vacating remanding decide appellants prevail unnecessary reach all." Id., 236, 1402. Wyman Rothstein, 398 275, 90 1582, (1970); Alma Co. Timken-Detroit Axle Co., 329 129, 67 91 128 (1946). Richardson Morris, 409 464, 93 629, 34 647 (1973), erroneous Tucker jurisdiction, what permissible grounds 29 wrong resolving considerations jurisdiction. States Testan, 424 392, 397-398, 948, 952-953, 114 While entertain permitted opportunity exercise Only Term, remanded court. Hatzlachh Supply 444 460, 647, 614 (1980). conform customary usefulness district appellate opinions ultimately reviewed reserve plenary still warranting final here On January 1, 1979, abolished, Office Personnel Management primary responsibility retirement program. Reform 1978, Pub.L.95-454, 92 1111; Reorg. Plan CFR (1979). convenience, throughout shall refer agency administering program contends appeal. disagree. dated 27, entered November 6, 1978. notice December 5, 1252, provides: "Any party Supreme interlocutory judgment, action, suit, proceeding agencies, officer thereof, party." (Emphasis added.) file timely liability Section 1252 allowed review declaring unconstitutional, permissive "may judgment" plainly before entered. Cf. Carlo Bianchi & 373 709, 83 1409, 652 (1963) (review 1255 entails decisions liability); Marconi Wireless Telegraph 320 47-48, 1393, 1414-1415, 87 1731 (1943) (same); American Foreign Matise, 423 150, 410, 46 354 (1975) (same rule 1254); Toledo Scale Computing 261 399, 418, 43 458, 462, 719 (1923) (same). lie declare unconstitutional. To predicate unconstitutionality appealed 1252. McLucas DeChamplain, 421 21, 30, 95 1365, 1371, 699 (1975); Raines, 362 17, 20, 519, 522, 524 (1960). irrelevant reached relying lies federal-court party, just decision. Garment Workers Donnelly 304 243, 249, 875, 879, 82 1316 (1938). uniformly supra; Jenkins Comm'n, 460 F.Supp. 611 (D.C.1978); Proctor 448 418 (D.C.1977) (three-judge court); Tenny 224 (E.D.Mo.1977); Myers Commissioners Civ. 8682 (S.D.Ohio, Aug. 8, 1977). 45 231e(c)(1)(i) (Railroad certain "the widow widower death"); 42 416(e) (Social Security defines legally person "was individual's household"); 416(h)(3)(A)(ii) Act's "such insured shown applicant contributing became attained 65, whichever occurred"). Visor 9922(2) (ED Mo., 12, 1955). authorizing payment "unmarried self-support," 55, apparently disabled over unable themselves, proved amending 10(d), 754. S.Rep.No. 1187, (1966); Salary Fringe Benefits 1966: Hearings H.R. 14122 Senate Post Joint Annual Report Director Budget Chairman Systems, Two Committees Congress, passing requests referred "living 92-527, p. (1971), Code Cong. Admin. News 1988; 1070, H.R.Rep.No. 92-811, (1972), 33, 1st (1965). read Committees' statements acknowledgments known letters 2-3; 3-4. event, Congressmen " 'very little, any, significance.' Southwestern Cable 392 157, 170, 88 1994, 2001, 1001 (1968) (quoting Rainwater 356 590, 593, 78 946, 949, 996 (1958)). recommendation Systems allowing "when appear inconsistent formulated Branch, simply reflects statute. recognize although inform contemporaneous enactment. disregard meaning See, e. Batterton Francis, 432 416, 425, 9, 2399, 2405, 53 view analysis history, adjudication, decisive contemporaneous. annuities, there below grant (1976); Eastport Corp. 372 1002, 1007-1009, 178 599, 606-607 (1967). argument exceeded declared 8341(a)(3)(A)'s severed statute, awarded remaining supra. errs assuming always difficulty. imposition supported, never with, child.

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