Fifth Circuit Court Rules in ERISA Case Involving Auburn Dental Practice

In a significant ruling, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a decision related to an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) case. The case involved D.L. Markham DDS MSD Inc., a dental practice based in Auburn, California, and the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC). The dispute centered on charges and fees related to the practice’s 401(k) plan. The court’s decision emphasizes the complexities of ERISA regulations and the roles of service providers and plan sponsors in managing employee retirement plans. This ruling could have wider implications for similar cases involving ERISA and retirement plan management.