The use of the “Segal Blend” to calculate a company’s withdrawal liability when it withdrew from a multiemployer pension plan violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as amended by the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act (MPPAA), because it was not the actuary’s best estimate, the federal appeals court in Cincinnati has held in a milestone decision for employers with withdrawal liability exposure. Sofco Erectors, Inc. v. Trustees Ohio Operating Eng’r, et al., Nos. 20-3639/3671 (6th Cir. Sept. 28, 2021).

Read more about this significant development here. 

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Photo of Robert R. Perry Robert R. Perry

Robert R. Perry is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He has more than 20 years of experience in the area of employee benefits law.

Rob’s practice includes counseling clients on all aspects of employee…

Robert R. Perry is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He has more than 20 years of experience in the area of employee benefits law.

Rob’s practice includes counseling clients on all aspects of employee benefits and executive compensation. Rob also advocates on behalf of clients in benefits-related disputes, as well as in administrative proceedings before the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

When not representing clients, Rob enjoys sports, music and pinball.

Photo of David M. Pixley David M. Pixley

David M. Pixley is a principal in the Cleveland, Ohio office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice focuses on employee benefits and ERISA litigation.

David’s practice includes counseling clients on all aspects of employee benefits and ERISA litigation involving single employer and multiemployer…

David M. Pixley is a principal in the Cleveland, Ohio office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice focuses on employee benefits and ERISA litigation.

David’s practice includes counseling clients on all aspects of employee benefits and ERISA litigation involving single employer and multiemployer benefit plans.

In addition to his extensive courtroom experience, David routinely advises and counsels clients with regard to employee benefit plan compliance, administration, participant disclosures, reporting and drafting requirements under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, ACA, HIPAA and COBRA. David assists clients in correcting errors under the IRS’ Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System and the DOL’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program. He also advises employers and investors on multiemployer benefit plan issues that arise during a corporate restructuring and in the context of M&A transactions.

Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, David served as outside Fund Counsel to multiemployer pension and welfare plans and has extensive experience with employer withdrawal liability, payroll audits, and delinquent contribution matters. He routinely speaks and writes about the issues facing employers contributing to and exiting multiemployer plans.

At the Ohio State University, he was a member of the Rugby Football Club. After law school, prior to beginning his career as an attorney, David was deployed as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard and awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.