Thompson

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

This matter is before the court on the parties’ cross-motions for judgment on the administrative record, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 52, arising out of defendants Insurance and Benefits Trust of Peace Officers Research Association of California and Peach Officers Research Association of California’s (collectively, “defendants” or “PORAC”) denial of plaintiff Jerry Thompson’s (“plaintiff’) claim for long-term disability (“LTD”) benefits.

For the reasons set forth below, the court finds that the proper standard of review of this matter is abuse of discretion, as opposed to de novo, and thereunder, the court finds that PORAC did not act arbitrarily or capriciously in denying plaintiffs LTD benefits claim. As such, the court DENIES plaintiffs motion for judgment in his favor and HEREBY GRANTS judgment in favor of PORAC.

BACKGROUND

A. The Plan

Plaintiff is a participant in a long term disability benefit plan (the “Plan”) sponsored by the Insurance and Benefits Trust of Peace Officers Research Association of California. The Plan is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). (Pl.’s CompL, filed Mar. 25, 2008, ¶ 6.)…