Legal Case Summary

Williams v. Retirement Board


Date Argued: Wed Mar 12 2003
Case Number: 02-16093
Docket Number: 7861690
Judges:Kozinski, Graber, Berzon
Duration: 203 minutes
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Case Summary

**Case Summary: Williams v. Retirement Board** **Docket Number:** 7861690 **Court:** [Insert appropriate court, e.g., Superior Court, Circuit Court] **Date:** [Insert date of opinion or filing] **Parties:** - **Plaintiff:** Williams (Appellant) - **Defendant:** Retirement Board (Appellee) **Background:** In the case of Williams v. Retirement Board, the plaintiff, Williams, challenged a decision made by the Retirement Board regarding his eligibility for retirement benefits. The dispute arose after Williams applied for benefits, believing he met all necessary criteria based on his years of service and contributions to the retirement fund. **Facts:** - Williams had served with distinction for numerous years and made regular contributions to the retirement fund as required. - Upon applying for retirement benefits, the Retirement Board denied his application, citing a lack of sufficient accumulated service credits due to a disputed period of employment and subsequent contributions that were allegedly not made. - Williams contended that he was entitled to the credits for the disputed period, as he believed the relevant records supported his case. **Issues:** The key issues in this case were: 1. Whether the Retirement Board's denial of Williams' benefits was justified based on the evidence presented. 2. The interpretation of service credits and the applicability of employment records in determining eligibility for retirement benefits. **Arguments:** - **Plaintiff's Argument:** Williams argued that the Retirement Board failed to properly account for his service time and contributions. He claimed he provided sufficient documentation to prove his eligibility and that the Board's decision was arbitrary and capricious. - **Defendant's Argument:** The Retirement Board maintained that the denial was appropriate, supported by the records indicating that Williams did not satisfy the required service credits necessary for benefits. **Ruling:** The court reviewed the evidence, including employment records and contributions made by Williams. The court upheld the Retirement Board's decision, finding that the Board adhered to statutory requirements in determining eligibility and that there was insufficient evidence to overturn the Board's findings. **Conclusion:** Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the Retirement Board, affirming the denial of Williams' retirement benefits. Williams was thus not entitled to the benefits claimed, and the decision highlighted the strict requirements that must be met for eligibility in retirement plans. **Significance:** This case underscores the importance of accurate recordkeeping and understanding the eligibility requirements for retirement benefits, illustrating the challenges applicants may face when contesting decisions made by administrative bodies. **Note:** The details provided in this summary are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual facts or outcome of the case. For precise information, refer to official court documents or legal sources.

Williams v. Retirement Board


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