Hoffmeister v. Michelin 1993 Early Retirement and Voluntary Separation Plan

Plaintiff Kurt Hoffmeister appeals the district courts entry of judg- ment against him on the grounds that he did not obtain the manage- ment approval necessary to receive voluntary separation benefits under the defendant Michelin 1993 Early Retirement Incentive and Voluntary Separation Plan (the plan), an employee benefit plan sub- ject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. 1001-1461 (West 1997), and maintained by Hoffmeisters employer, defendant Michelin Tire Corporation (Michelin). The dis- trict court issued its ruling orally under Fed. R. Civ. P. 52 at the con- clusion of plaintiffs evidence at a bench trial. We affirm.