Ecolab Retirees’ Pension Calculation Challenge Trimmed by Judge

A proposed class action challenging how Ecolab Inc. calculates the pensions of certain married workers is advancing on a pared-back basis after a federal judge dismissed several claims.

Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan dismissed the claims of two named plaintiffs who took advantage of Ecolab’s “generous” early retirement option, explaining that they weren’t injured by the conduct challenged by the lawsuit. But one plaintiff who didn’t retire early can press claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s rules governing spousal annuities and its rule prohibiting the forfeiture of accrued benefits, Bryan said Tuesday for the US District Court for the ...