October Term 2001 · Docket 99-1786
Does a money claim for plan benefits count as equitable relief under ERISA?
Great-West Life seeks a money judgment. Knudson argues this claim is legal, not equitable.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Taranto argued the money suit is outside ERISA's equitable relief section.
Mr. Wolfson stated this is the only mechanism to enforce a plan term.
Mr. Wolfson characterized this enforcement as equitable relief under ERISA.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 19-23
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a specific money claim fits ERISA's equitable relief category.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 1, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
Great-West wants the Court to classify its money claim as equitable relief.
Knudson wants the Court to classify the money claim as legal relief.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What each side says
Great-West argues the claim is the only way to enforce plan terms.
Knudson argues the money suit does not request appropriate equitable relief.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked Mr. Taranto to cover a specific point before finishing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 19-23
Why it matters
This dispute defines the scope of ERISA's equitable relief provision. It determines how plans enforce their terms. It shapes the boundary between legal and equitable claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 19-23
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.