"Clients sometimes like to ease the transition for employees who are retiring or whom the client would like to encourage to leave. One strategy is to continue the employee 'on payroll' for a period of time with the expectation that all benefits will remain in place. However, the practice makes benefits lawyers nervous because the benefits that are supposed to continue may be offered under plans that do not recognize an employee who has stopped working as eligible for continued benefits." [Sanford v. Life Insurance Company of North America, No. 14-5332 (6th Cir. Feb. 13, 2015)]  MORE >>