{"argument_date":"2014-03-24T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-03-24T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Spinelli asserted that parties agree retirement funds are set aside for when an individual stops working.","Ms. Spinelli stated that funds in an inherited IRA do not meet that specific definition.","Mr. Shanmugam argued that the Bankruptcy Code's plain terms exempt funds in tax-exempt retirement accounts.","Justice Kagan noted that inherited funds cannot be added to and must be depleted over time."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 37-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-13"}]}],"caption":"Clark v. Rameker","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.134951Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether inherited IRA funds meet the legal definition of retirement funds under the Bankruptcy Code.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-03-24T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/13-299.html","primary_docket":"13-299","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:48:40.816513Z","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 the Bankruptcy Code's retirement funds exemption. The core issue is whether inherited IRA assets fit the statutory definition of funds set aside for retirement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 24, 2014."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to rule that inherited IRAs are not retirement funds and thus lack bankruptcy protection.","the opposing sides want the Court to rule that inherited IRAs are retirement funds and retain bankruptcy protection."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue that inherited IRAs do not meet the definition of funds set aside for an individual's retirement.","the opposing sides argue that the Bankruptcy Code's plain terms categorically exempt funds in tax-exempt retirement accounts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked how a retirement fund differs from an inherited one.","Justice Sotomayor asked about the 10 percent penalty for early Roth IRA withdrawals."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 37-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome determines whether inherited retirement assets remain protected from creditors in bankruptcy. This affects the financial security of beneficiaries who inherit retirement funds."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"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 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 37-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-13"}]}],"slug":"2013-13-299-clark-v-rameker","term":"2013","title":"Does an inherited IRA qualify as a retirement fund for bankruptcy protection?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 25-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 25-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-299_4g15.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}