The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
October 8, 2026
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8 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
Fifth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment Holding Company Owner a Functional ERISA Fiduciary Personally Liable for Diverted Employee Contributions and Unpaid Health Claims“In Sonderling v. Sills, No. 26-30272, 2026 WL 3001434 (5th Cir. Oct. 6, 2026) (Before: Davis, Stewart, and Duncan, Circuit Judges), the Acting Secretary of Labor sued Kelly Sills, president and sole owner of Coastal Bridge Company, L.L.C., for breaching his fiduciary duties under ERISA by withholding employees’ plan contributions from their paychecks without remitting them to insurers and by failing to pay employee claims billed under the company’s self-funded health plan. The district court granted summary judgment for the Secretary, and the Fifth Circuit affirmed in all respects.”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (3) · Litigation (4) · General Benefits (1)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
3 items“The final rule stems from multiple agencies’ 2025 proposal that leaves plan sponsors with increased compliance and governance responsibilities.” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
“The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury finalized new regulations updating “Transparency in Coverage,” a federal framework for employer-sponsored health plans and health insurers.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“The District of Columbia City Council has passed legislation, effective October 1, 2026, that reduces the number of weeks of paid leave available to workers in the District under the D.C. Universal Paid Leave Act (UPLA).” MORE >>
Source: Jackson Lewis P.C.
Litigation
4 items“In Sonderling v. Sills, No. 26-30272, 2026 WL 3001434 (5th Cir. Oct. 6, 2026) (Before: Davis, Stewart, and Duncan, Circuit Judges), the Acting Secretary of Labor sued Kelly Sills, president and sole owner of Coastal Bridge Company, L.L.C., for breaching his fiduciary duties under ERISA by withholding employees’ plan contributions from their paychecks without remitting them to insurers and by failing to pay employee claims billed under the company’s self-funded health plan. The district court granted summary judgment for the Secretary, and the Fifth Circuit affirmed in all respects.” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
"In Klusmann v. AT&T Umbrella Benefit Plan No. 1, No. 5:24-CV-1295, 2026 WL 2905335 (N.D. Ohio Sept. 28, 2026), the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio granted Plaintiff’s motion for judgment on the administrative record, held that the claims administrator forfeited deferential review by issuing its appeal decision two days late, and awarded ERISA long-term disability (LTD) benefits retroactive to November 15, 2023." MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
“In Mark L. Justman v. Accenture LLP, the court held that a denial-of-benefits claim under ERISA § 502(a)(1)(B) must be brought against the entity obligated to pay benefits or the entity that controls the challenged benefit determination, not merely an employer designated as the plan administrator.” MORE >>
Source: Freeman Mathis & Gary
[General Benefits]
Supreme Court Hears Investment Underperformance Argument in Anderson v. Intel: Justices Appear Receptive to a Benchmark Requirement“On October 6, 2026, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Anderson v. Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee on whether a plaintiff challenging an investment fund’s performance in a defined contribution plan must allege underperformance compared to a “meaningful benchmark.” The Justices appear poised to answer yes. Less clear is whether the Court will use this opportunity to clarify what is required to plead a meaningful benchmark.” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group
General Benefits
1 item“What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things employee benefits lawyers work on and areas in which they can be useful to employers and others who...” MORE >>
Source: Verrill