Pension Rights and Executive Compensation

This course will provide a general substantive background in ERISA and other laws governing pension rights, and will then explore current and controversial issues in the field of employee benefits, including equal pension rights for women and minorities, the permissibility of "socially useful" investment of pension funds under ERISA's prudent investment rules, the role of pension funds in corporate takeover battles, the role of unions and the collective bargaining process in shaping employees' pension rights, and the applicability of securities laws to employee pensions.

Grading and Method of Evaluation:
Letter grade with pass/fail option. A paper is required which may be used to satisfy the Upperclass Writing Requirement.