Vicky Myers v. Aetna Life Insurance Company

I. INTRODUCTION

This is an action for benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. Plaintiff Vicky Myers contends she is entitled to long-term disability benefits under the terms of the long-term disability policy Defendant Aetna Life Insurance Company (Aetna) issued to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). A bench trial on the administrative record was held on October 27, 2020. After consideration of the parties’ trial briefs, oral arguments, and the evidence in the Administrative Record,1 the Court makes the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.

1 The Court refers to pages from the Administrative Record as “AR __.”

II. FINDINGS OF FACT2

A. The Long-Term Disability Plan At all relevant times, Plaintiff Vicky Myers was employed by Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL). Dkt. 32 ¶ 2. JPL established and maintained a disability insurance plan (LTD Plan) and a life insurance plan for its employees. Id. ¶ 3. Both plans were issued by Aetna to Caltech,3 Policy No. 866280. Id. The LTD Plan defines “Total Disability” as follows: From the date that you first become disabled and until Monthly Benefits…