Justices Roll Up Their Sleeves for Retirement, Benefits Cases

The Supreme Court’s upcoming term is shaping up to be a blockbuster for those seeking clarity on the federal law that governs 401(k) retirement and other employer-sponsored benefit plans.

The justices have already agreed to hear two cases brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act when the next term starts in October, and two more cases are waiting in the wings.

“The next term could shake out to be the term of ERISA,” said Jaime Santos, an appellate attorney at Goodwin Procter.

While ERISA is not a hot-button issue like abortion, gun control, or drug prices, the law has ...