{"argument_date":"2008-10-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2008-10-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Furlow argued for the sides that brought the case.","Ms. Kruger argued for the opposing sides.","Mr. Levy argued for the plan administrator."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-41"}]}],"caption":"Kennedy v. Plan Administrator for DuPont Sav. and Investment Plan","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:27.032373Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a spouse can legally give up pension rights during divorce without a specific court order.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2008-10-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/07-636.html","primary_docket":"07-636","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T03:23:31.569615Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of federal pension protections. The core issue is whether a spouse can waive benefits outside a formal court order."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2008."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to allow the waiver to stand.","the opposing sides want the Court to require a formal court order."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the waiver is valid under general contract principles.","the opposing sides argue federal law mandates a specific court order for waivers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked why the Court should not decide the substance immediately.","Chief Justice Roberts asked how the plan administrator knows about the waiver."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-41"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines how spouses manage pension rights during divorce. It clarifies the legal requirements for waiving financial benefits. The outcome shapes future pension disputes nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 9-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 41-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-41"}]}],"slug":"2008-07-636-kennedy-v-plan-administrator-for-dupont-sav-and-investment-plan","term":"2008","title":"Can a Divorcing Spouse Waive Pension Benefits Without a Court Order?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 27-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-636.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-39"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}