Doe

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW FOLLOWING BENCH TRIAL

In this ease under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 , et seq., *1174 Plaintiff John Doe (“Plaintiff’) alleges that Defendant Prudential Insurance Company of America (“Prudential”) improperly terminated his long term disability benefits by applying a 24-month mental illness limitation to his claim. Plaintiff contends that Prudential should not have applied the mental illness limitation, and that therefore his benefits' .should not, have been terminated. Plaintiff seeks an order reinstating his, benefits retroactively and prospectively, among other relief.

The parties submitted their opening and responsive trial briefs, along with the administrative record and supplemental evi-dentiary 'materials. The Court heard oral argument, on November 29, 2016. The Court rules as follows.

I. SUMMARY OF DISPUTE

This case turns on whether Plaintiffs long term disability (“LTD”) benefits are subject to the Plan’s 24-month mental health limitation, which caps at 24 months LTD benefits for a disability “due in whole or part to mental illness.” It is not disputed that Plaintiff has…