ERISA discrimination: Private employers and US territories

[Guest JuanB]

Greetings:

I would like to have feedback from all

the posters of this board regarding the following

problem:

A client of ours (who works on

branch of a multinational corporation; that said

branch located in Puerto Rico ) is reporting

that his employer demands from its employees

to report themselves to the SSA and be represented by

council provided by the employer if the want to

request LTD benefits.

QUESTION: Does ERISA or the SS Act allows

private employers to establish different work-related

benefit request requirements based on the fact that

one of its branch is located on a US

territory?

(I know, tall order!)

Feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Juan Barrios

Hernandez & Associates

Attorneys At Law

Bayamon, Puerto Rico