boggs boggs et argued january decided june held erisa pre empts state law allowing nonparticipant spouse transfer testamentary instrument interest undistributed pension plan benefits pp order resolve case need interpret erisa pre emption clause simply apply conventional conflict pre emption principles asking whether louisiana community property law conflicts erisa frustrates purposes pp extent louisiana law provides sons right portion sandra survivor annuity pre empted annuity qualified joint survivor annuity mandated object ensure stream income survivingspouses erisa solicitude economic security spouses undermined allowing predeceasing spouse heirs legatees community property interest survivor annuity even plan participant defeat nonparticipant surviving spouse statutory entitlement annuity see nothing erisa language supports conclusion congress decided permit predeceasing nonparticipant spouse testamentary transfers one issue reduce annuity erisa minimum see perhaps even troubling recipient transfer need family member annuity might substantially reduced funds diverted support unrelated stranger face direct clash state law erisa provisions objectives state law stand see gade national solid wastes management pp sons state law claim portion isaac monthly annuity payments ira esop shares also pre empted erisa principal object protect plan participants beneficiaries see act confers pension plan beneficiary status nonparticipant spouse dependent extent survivor annuity required covered plans qualified domestic relations order qdro awards spouse dependent interest participant benefits provisions acknowledge protect specific pension plan community property interests give rise strong implication community property claims consistent statutory scheme erisa silence respect right nonparticipant spouse control pension plan benefits testamentary transfer provides powerful support conclusion right exist cf massachusetts mut life ins russell sons claim share benefits issue neither participants beneficiaries base claims dorothy attempted testamentary transfer inimical erisa purposes permit prevail early cases holding erisa pre empt spousal community property interests pension benefits regardless plan participant beneficiary applicable light subsequent amendments erisa reading erisa permit nonbeneficiary interests even enforced plan result troubling anomalies accord statutory scheme congress intended pre empt respondents interests given specific powerful reinforcement requires pension plans specify benefits may assigned alienated dorothy testamentary transfer sons prohibited assignment alienation applicable regulations community property laws past pre empted order prevent diversion retirement benefits see free bland matter respondents sought enforce purported rights isaac benefits distributed since rights based flawed theory interest undistributed benefits pp reversed kennedy delivered opinion stevens scalia souter thomas joined rehnquist ginsburg joined part iii breyer filed dissenting opinion joined rehnquist ginsburg joined except part notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions wash ington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press sandra jean dale boggs petitioner thomas boggs harry boggs david boggs writ certiorari appeals fifth circuit june justice kennedy delivered opinion consider whether employee retirement income security act erisa stat amended et pre empts state law allowing nonparticipant spouse transfer testamentary instrument interest undistributed pension plan benefits given pervasive significance pension plans national economy congressional mandate uniform comprehensive regulation fundamental importance community property law defining marital partnership number question undoubted importance hold erisa pre empts state law isaac boggs worked south central bell retirement isaac dorothy first wife married began working company remained husband wife dorothy death three sons within year dorothy death isaac married sandra remained married death upon retirement isaac received various benefits employer retirement plans one lump sumdistribution bell system savings plan salaried employees savings plan rolled individual retirement account ira made withdrawals account worth died also received shares stock bell south employee stock ownership plan esop addition isaac enjoyed monthly annuity payment retirement bell south service retirement program instant dispute ownership benefits sandra surviving wife sons first marriage sons claim portion benefits based dorothy dorothy bequeathed isaac one third estate lifetime usufruct remaining two thirds lifetime usufruct rough equivalent common law life estate see la civ code art west bequeathed sons naked ownership remaining two thirds subject isaac usufruct agree absent pre emption louisiana law controls dorothy dispose community property interest isaac undistributed pension plan benefits louisiana state order entitled judgment possession ascribed dorothy estate community property interest isaac savings plan account valued time sandra contests validity dorothy testamentary transfer basing claim benefits interest isaac isaac bequeathed sandra outright certain real property including family home also gave sandra lifetime usufruct remainder estate naked ownership interest held sons sandra argues sons competing claim since based dorothy purported testamentary transfer community property interest inundistributed pension plan benefits pre empted erisa bell south service retirement program monthly annuity paid sandra surviving spouse isaac death two sons filed action state requesting appointment expert compute percentage retirement benefits entitled result dorothy attempted testamentary transfer sought judgment awarding portion ira esop shares stock monthly annuity payments received isaac retirement sandra survivor annuity payments received payable response sandra boggs filed complaint district eastern district louisiana seeking declaratory judgment erisa pre empts application louisiana community property succession laws extent recognize sons claim interest disputed retirement benefits district granted summary judgment sandra boggs supp found louisiana community property law dorothy ownership interest husband pension plan benefits built marriage creation interest explained violate prohibits pension plan benefits assigned alienated since congress intend alter traditional familial support obligations view assignment alienation dorothy rights benefits acquired operation community property law transfer isaac turning dorothy testamentary transfer found effective erisa display particular interest preserving maximum benefits particular beneficiary divided panel fifth circuit affirmed stressed louisiana law affects plan participant may benefits received relationship pension plan administrator plan beneficiary reasons given district found erisa pension plan anti alienation provision inapplicable louisiana creation dorothy boggs community property interest pension plan benefits concluded transfer interest dorothy sons prohibited assignment alienation transfer two steps removed disbursement benefits six members appeals dissented failure grant rehearing en banc view testamentary transfer interest undistributed retirement benefits frustrates erisa goals securing national uniformity pension plan administration ensuring retirees dependents actual recipients retirement income believed congress creation qualified domestic relations order qdro mechanism whose requirements met judgment possession supported position qdro limited exception pension plan anti alienation provision allows courts recognize nonparticipant spouse community property interest pension plans specific circumstances reasoning holding fifth circuit decision substantial conflict decision appeals ninth circuit ablamis roper held erisa pre empts testamentary transfer nonparticipant spouse community property interest undistributed pension plan benefits division circuits significant fifth circuit jurisdiction community property louisiana texas ninth circuit includes community property arizona california idaho nevada washington granted certiorari resolve issue reverse erisa pre emption questions recurrent two cases subject come current term alone see california division labor standards enforcement dillingham construction de buono medical clinical services fund ante large part number erisa pre emption cases reflects comprehensive nature statute centrality pension welfare plans national economy importance financial security nation work force erisa designed ensure proper administration pension welfare plans years employee active service retirement years case lies intersection erisa pension law state community property law none dispute central role community property laws play nine community property property regime commitment equality husband wife reflects real partnership inherent marital relationship state community property laws many ancient lineage must continued exist lengths time manifold excellences lightly abrogated tossed aside de funiak principles community property community property regime louisiana dates territorial legislature orleans drafted civil code adopted spanish principles community property louisiana community property laws andthe community property regimes enacted implement policies values lying within traditional domain considerations inform pre emption analysis see hisquierdo hisquierdo nine community property million residents perhaps trillion retirement plans see brief estate planning trust probate law section state bar california amicus curiae case involves community property claim ruling affect well right make claims assert interests based law state whether recognizes community property ruling must consistent congressional scheme assure security plan participants families every state enacting erisa congress noted importance pension plans findings declaration policy explaining growth size scope numbers employee benefit plans recent years rapid substantial continued well security millions employees dependents directly affected plans affected national public interest become important factor affecting stability employment successful development industrial relations erisa express pre emption clause act shall supersede state laws insofar may hereafter relate employee benefit plan begin case end analysis simply asking state law conflicts provisions erisa operates frustrate objects hold conflict suffices resolve case need inquire whether statutory phrase relate provides additional support pre emption claim need consider applicability field pre emption see fidelity fed sav loan assn de la cuesta first address survivor annuity turn pension benefits sandra boggs observed asserts federal law pre empts supersedes state law requires surviving spouse annuity paid sole beneficiary agree annuity issue qualified joint survivor annuity mandated erisa section provides pension plan section applies shall provide case vested participant die annuity starting date accrued benefit payable participant shall provided form qualified joint survivor annuity respondents say state law claims consistent provisions claims argue affect disposition plan proceeds disbursed bell south service retirement program thus nothing required plan erisa concern securing national uniformity administration employee benefit plans view implicated argue sandra community property obligations receives survivor annuity payments fai implicate regulatory concerns erisa fort halifax packing coyne disagree statutory object qualified joint survivor annuity provisions along rest ensure stream income surviving spouses section mandates survivor annuity participant dies annuity starting date also guarantees one participant dies see provisions enacted part retirement equity act rea pub stat enlarged erisa protection surviving spousesin significant respects rea erisa required pension plans provided payment benefits form annuity offer qualified joint survivor annuity option entirely within participant discretion rea modified erisa permit participants designate beneficiary survivor annuity nonparticipant spouse spouse agrees congress concern surviving spouses also evident expansive coverage amended rea section requirements general matter apply individual account plans defined benefit plans terms defined purposes pension plans fall within two categories see individual account plans escape surviving spouse annuity requirements certain conditions congress still protects interests surviving spouse requiring plans pay spouse nonforfeitable accrued benefits reduced certain security interests lump sum payment erisa solicitude economic security surviving spouses undermined allowing predeceasing spouse heirs legatees community property interest survivor annuity even plan participant defeat nonparticipant surviving spouse statutory entitlement annuity odd say least congress permitted predeceasing nonparticipant spouse nothing language erisa supports concluding congress made inexplicable decision testamentary transfers reduce surviving spouse guaranteed annuity minimum set erisa defined annuity payable joint lives participant spouse case sandra annuity reduced approximately according tothe calculations contained sons state filings reason testamentary transfers reduce survivor annuity even greater amount perhaps even troubling recipient testamentary transfer need family member instance surviving spouse annuity might substantially reduced funds diverted support unrelated stranger face direct clash state law provisions objectives erisa state law stand conventional conflict pre emption principles require pre emption compliance federal state regulations physical impossibility state law stands obstacle accomplishment execution full purposes objectives congress gade national solid wastes management internal quotation marks citation omitted undermine purpose erisa mandated survivor annuity allow dorothy predeceasing spouse testamentary transfer defeat part sandra entitlement annuity guarantees surviving spouse free change erisa structure balance louisiana law extent provides sons right portion sandra boggs survivor annuity pre empted beyond seeking portion survivor annuity respondents claim percentage monthly annuity payments made isaac boggs retirement ira esop shares stock claim based dorothy boggs attempted testamentary transfer sons community interest isaac undistributed pension plan benefits respondents argue somewhat inconsistently claim concerns plan participant beneficiary may plan funds distributed without imposing obligations plan parties agree erisa benefits issue paid dorothy death thus case present question whether erisa permit nonparticipant spouse obtain devisable community property interest benefits paid existence community participant spouse brief overview erisa design necessary put respondents contentions proper context principal object statute protect plan participants beneficiaries see shaw delta air lines erisa comprehensive statute designed promote interests employees beneficiaries employee benefit plans section policy erisa protect interests participants employee benefit plans beneficiaries section explains erisa contains certain safeguards protections help guarantee equitable character soundness private pension plans order protect interests participants private pension plans beneficiaries general policy implemented erisa specific provisions apart enumerated exceptions plan fiduciary must discharge duties respect plan solely interest participants beneficiaries assets plan certain exceptions held exclusive purposes providing benefits participants plan beneficiaries defraying reasonable expenses administering plan secretary labor authority create exemptions erisa prohibition certain plan holdings acquisitions transactions interests ofthe plan participants beneficiaries persons interest pension plan may bring civil suit erisa enforcement provisions either participant beneficiary section instance provides civil action may brought participant beneficiary recover benefits due terms plan enforce rights terms plan clarify rights future benefits terms plan erisa confers beneficiary status nonparticipant spouse dependent narrow circumstances delineated provisions example discussed requires provision surviving spouse annuity covered pension plans consequence spouse beneficiary extent section qdro provisions likewise recognize certain pension plan community property interests nonparticipant spouses dependents qdro type domestic relations order creates recognizes alternate payee right assigns alternate payee right portion benefits payable respect participant plan domestic relations order turn judgment decree order concerns provision child support alimony payments marital property rights spouse former spouse child dependent participant made pursuant state domestic relations law including community property law ii domestic relations order must meet certain requirements qualify qdro see qdro unlike domestic relations orders general exempt pension plan anti alienation provision erisa general pre emption clause creating qdro mechanism congress careful provide alternate payee spouse formerspouse child dependent participant considered plan beneficiary provisions essential one rea central purposes give enhanced protection spouse dependent children event divorce separation event death surviving spouse apart detailed provisions erisa confer beneficiary status nonparticipants reason marital dependent status even outside pension plan context anti alienation restriction congress deemed necessary enact detailed provisions order protect dependent interest welfare benefit plan qualified medical child support order child interest parent group health care plan enforced medical child support order defined judgment decree order concerns provision child support made pursuant state domestic relations law including community property law relates benefits plan qdro medical child support order must satisfy certain criteria order qualify see accordance erisa care conforming entitlements benefits participant beneficiary status statute treats child subject qualifying order participant erisa reporting disclosure requirements beneficiary purposes surviving spouse annuity qdro provisions acknowledge protect specific pension plan community property interests give rise strong implication community property claims consistent statutory scheme erisa silence respect right nonparticipant spouse control pension plan benefits testamentary transfer provides powerful support conclusion right exist cf massachusetts ins russell cause little surprise congress chose protect community property interests separated divorced spouses children traditional subject domestic relations law accommodate testamentary transfers pension plan benefits general matter whole subject domestic relations husband wife parent child belongs laws laws burrus support obligations particular deeply rooted moral responsibilities congress unlikely intended intrude upon see rose rose see also concurring accord principles congress ensured state domestic relations orders long meet certain statutory requirements pre empted conclude sons claim erisa share retirement benefits begin sons neither participants beneficiaries participant defined employee former employee employer member former member employee organization may become eligible receive benefit beneficiary person designated participant terms employee benefit plan may become entitled benefit thereunder respondents claims based dorothy boggs attempted testamentary transfer designation isaac boggs terms retirement plans even attempt argue beneficiaries virtue judgment possession qualifying qdro amicus estate planning trust probate law section state bar california support respondents position points pre rea case law holdingthat erisa pre empt spousal community property interests pension benefits regardless plan participant beneficiary district amicus relies particular upon marriage campa cal app cal rptr california appeals first district held erisa bar california courts joining pension funds marriage dissolution proceedings ordering pension plan divide pension payments employee former nonparticipant spouse dismissed pension plan appeal want substantial federal question although entitled full precedential weight see edelman jordan disposition constitutes decision merits see hicks miranda state marriage campa alone refusing find erisa pre emption divorce context see stone stone supp nd cal aff cert denied savings profit sharing fund sears employees gago eichelberger eichelberger supp sd tex judicial consensus amicus argues codified qdro provisions contained rea amendments amicus contends since rea pre rea case law allegedly adopted consider community property rights nonparticipant spouse testamentary context construed pre empt state law governing different subject disagree reasoning true subject testamentary transfers somewhat removed domestic relations law qdro provisions address rights divorced separated spouses dependent children traditionalconcern domestic relations law pre rea federal common law extension definition beneficiary courts context marital dissolution part based appreciation fact domestic relations law primarily area state concern see marriage campa supra cal basic principle beneficiary interest spendthrift trust despite otherwise applicable protections reached context divorce separation see griswold spendthrift trusts ed summarizing state case law restatement second trusts state marriage campa took implicit determination nonparticipant spouse beneficiary logical conclusion forcing pension plan join marital dissolution proceedings party compelling pay spouse share pension benefits whether extension definition beneficiary consistent statute force authorities applicable light rea amendments qdro surviving spouse annuity provisions define scope nonparticipant spouse community property interests pension plans consistent erisa respondents amicus effect ask us ignore definition beneficiary case law create new class persons plan assets held administered statute amenable sweeping extratextual extension unpersuasive suggest third parties assert claims without counted beneficiaries plan fiduciary responsibilities run participants beneficiaries assets plan held exclusive purposes providing benefits participants beneficiaries defraying reasonable expenses administration reading erisa permit nonbeneficiary interests evenif enforced plan result troubling anomalies either pension plans run benefit subset stake plan state law move fill apparent gaps plan administration responsibilities ownership rights resulting complex set requirements varying state state neither result accords statutory scheme conclusion congress intended pre empt respondents nonbeneficiary nonparticipant interests retirement plans given specific powerful reinforcement pension plan anti alienation provision section provides ach pension plan shall provide benefits provided plan may assigned alienated statutory anti alienation provisions potent mechanisms prevent dissipation funds hisquierdo interpreted anti alienation provision bar divorced spouse interest husband retirement benefits see erisa pension plan anti alienation provision mandatory contains two explicit exceptions see subject judicial expansion see guidry sheet metal workers nat pension fund anti alienation provision seen bespeak pension law protective policy special intensity retirement funds shall remain inviolate retirement langbein wolk pension employee benefit law ed dorothy testamentary transfer source respondents claimed ownership interest prohibited assignment alienation assignment alienation defined regulation certain exceptions issue ny direct indirect arrangement whereby party acquires participant beneficiary interest enforceable plan part plan benefitpayment may become payable participant beneficiary cfr ii requirements met louisiana law community property interests enforceable plan see eskine eskine la respondents claims allowed succeed acquired interest isaac pension plan expense plan participants beneficiaries true survivors annuities inimical erisa purposes permit testamentary recipients acquire competing interest undistributed pension benefits intended provide stream income participants beneficiaries see guidry supra anti alienation provision reflects considered congressional policy choice decision safeguard stream income pensioners dependents pension benefits support participants beneficiaries retirement years erisa pension plan safeguards designed end see besides anti alienation provision congress enacted protective measures guarantee retirement funds plan participants beneficiaries expect instance minimum funding standards pension plans pension plan termination insurance program guarantees benefits event plan terminated fully funded see respondents approach retirees find retirement benefits reduced substantial sums diverted testamentary recipients retirement benefits income stream provided erisa regulated plans disrupted name protecting nonparticipant spouses successors plan participants beneficiaries respondents logic even permit spouse transfer interest pension plan tocreditors result incompatible spendthrift provision community property laws past pre empted order ensure implementation federal statutory scheme see mccune essig wissner wissner free bland hisquierdo hisquierdo mccarty mccarty mansell mansell cf ridgeway ridgeway free bland supra particular relevance husband purchased savings bonds community funds name spouses treasury regulations effect co owner bonds died surviving co owner received entire interest bonds wife died son principal beneficiary demanded either one half bonds reimbursement loss community property interest held regulations pre empted community property claim explaining one inducements selected treasury survivorship provision convenient method avoiding complicated probate proceedings notwithstanding provision state awarded full title co owner required account half value bonds decedent estate viewed realistically state rendered award title meaningless respondents contend anomalous unfair divorced spouse result qdro control portion spouse pension benefits predeceasing spouse congress thought otherwise qdro provisions well surviving spouse annuity provisions reinforce conclusion erisa concerned providing living qdro provisions protect persons often result divorce might receive benefits otherwise available retirement means income case predeceased spouse concern implicated fairness distinction might debated congress decided favor living dead must respect policy axis around erisa protections revolve concepts participant beneficiary congress chosen depart framework done careful limited manner respondents claims allowed succeed depart framework upsetting deliberate balance central erisa matter respondents sought enforce rights retirement benefits distributed since asserted rights based theory interest undistributed pension plan benefits state law claims pre empted judgment fifth circuit reversed sandra jean dale boggs petitioner thomas boggs harry boggs david boggs writ certiorari appeals fifth circuit june justice breyer justice joins question case whether employee retirement income security act erisa et pre empts thereby nullifies state community property law state law question permit wife leave children share pension assets husband earned put matter community property terms husband together earned marriage perspective property law issue unusually important told answer potentially affects nine community property million residents trillion erisa qualified pension plans plans often couple important lifetime assets view congress intend erisa pre empt testamentary aspect community property law least circumstances present first wife bequest need prevent second wife obtaining precisely benefits erisa specifically sets aside see fifth determination consistent view therefore affirm judgment case concerns disposition pension plan assets earned employee married children whose first wife died remarried retired died survived second wife specific employee isaac boggs resident louisiana began work south central bell telephone company known bellsouth participated erisa qualified pension plan years married first wife dorothy boggs almost time dorothy died couple three children isaac married second wife sandra retired died sandra survives dorothy died left providing isaac receive maximum share estate permitted law well lifetime usufruct rather like common law life estate remainder brief respondents parties agree meant isaac received one third estate outright louisiana law three sons dorothy isaac receive left remaining two thirds isaac death naked ownership equivalent common law remainder throughout working life entire year marriage dorothy isaac participated set bellsouth erisa qualified retirement plans isaac retired six years dorothy death received three assets plans shares stock bellsouth employee stock ownership plan cash payment bellsouth savings plan salaried employees annuity per month bellsouth management pension plan life afterwards surviving second spouse sandra isaac almost immediately placed cash payment individual retirement account ira thereby avoiding immediate payment income tax see see also bruce pension claims rights obligations ed isaac bequeathed lifetime usufruct property presumably including stock funds ira second wife sandra sandra survivor also began receive monthly annuity december sandra boggs filed action declaratory judgment federal district see plan participant beneficiary may bring action clarify rights future benefits said three children isaac dorothy brought action state isaac estate seeking portion pension benefits bellsouth plans children said louisiana law mother dorothy owned one half share isaac rights bellsouth retirement plans insofar accrued prior dorothy death left portion share two thirds naked interest isaac death asked sandra words accounting well undivided interest value undivided interest assets benefits paid pension plans petition declaratory judgment ed sandra asked district declare insofar state law entitled children planbenefits erisa pre empted state law nutshell asked say shares stock cash annuity payments entirely district disagreed sandra denied motion summary judgment declared erisa preempt louisiana community property laws supp ed la see also judgment ed mar fifth circuit appeals affirmed reviewing fifth circuit decision respect pre emption must therefore assume view relevant facts state law judge wisdom writing fifth circuit case described louisiana community property law system conceives marriage partnership partner entitled equal share see also mcclanahan community property hereinafter mcclanahan community property law views marriage civil contract two persons ente relationship equals retai individual personalities recognizing value spouse though non employed contributes marriage state law provides interest pension benefits accrued isaac marriage dorothy belongs isaac dorothy community one la civ code art west community property includes property acquired existence legal regime effort skill industry either spouse james montgomery la pension benefits community property even employee spouse makes cashcontributions plan louisiana law like law today allows women men leave property children la civ code art west spouse acting alone may manage control dispose community property unless otherwise provided law cf spaht hargrave louisiana civil law treatise matrimonial regimes louisiana law considered husband head master exclusive manager community property must assume fifth circuit louisiana law permit dorothy children left property obtain accounting determine extent stock ira account monthly annuity fact belong see dorothy spouse estate owes obligation account share pension see also la civ code art west succession representative broad power subject probate approval liquidate estate sale exchange estate assets pay debts legacies purpose cf la rev stat ann west supp judicial partition assets divorce hare hodgins la equalize allocation community assets termination may grant cash property lieu actual percentage pension payments james supra opinion rehearing sims sims la formula calculating former spouse share pension benefits mcclanahan pp state courts may allocate entire pension employee spouse allocate spouse community property equal value half pension cf also succession mcvay la app decedent ira contained community property assets couldnot listed asset estate designated beneficiary however estate deemed contain equivalent cash value see generally la civ code art west rule particular situation derived legislation custom bound proceed according equity ask whether extent erisa stands obstacle enforcement state law applied case state law relate employee benefit plan conflicts specific provisions erisa applying relevant criteria find basis pre emption louisiana community property law relates erisa plan within meaning expressly refers plan impermissible connection plan california div labor standards enforcement dillingham constr slip neither grounds pre emption present relevant louisiana statute refer erisa pensions simply says property acquired existence legal regime effort skill industry either spouse community property la civ code art west statute act exclusively rely existence erisa plans see dillingham supra slip statute application case arises judicial interpretation see james supra mcclanahan sort likely present whenever generally phrased state statute affects erisa plan among things hence specific reference problem connection problem difficult insofar term refers conflict erisa purpose discuss matter primarily part infra term connection however might also encompass question whether state law intrudes area congress given erisa basic objectives wanted reserve exclusively federal legislation dillingham supra slip quoting new york state conference blue cross blue shield plans travelers ins cf malone white motor state law pre empted falls within field congress sought occupy san diego building trades council garmon may regulate activities protected prohibited national labor relations act garner teamsters may add subtract remedies provided national labor relations act view latter problem sometimes called field pre emption see dillingham supra slip scalia concurring present state law question concerns ownership benefits concede primary concern erisa proper financial management pension welfare benefit funds dillingham supra slip citing massachusetts morash payment benefits amounts writing checks funds closely connected management also concede state laws affect payments lie closer erisa federal heart state laws say affect goods services erisa benefit plans purchase apprenticeship training programs slip medical benefits debuono medical clinical serv fund ante even saythat state law issue concerns subject congress wished place outside state legal reach reason part lies fact state law question involves family property probate areas traditional important state concern rose rose domestic relations law traditionally left state regulation hisquierdo hisquierdo zschernig miller several course traditionally regulated descent distribution estates see ante majority effort distinguish property interests passing divorce passing devise considers pre emption works assumption historic police powers superseded federal act unless clear manifest purpose congress dillingham supra slip quoting rice santa fe elevator find reasonably defined relevant category state law congress intended displace obviously congress intend pre empt state laws govern property ownership someone must interest erisa plan benefits similar reasons one believe congress intended pre empt state laws concerning testamentary bequests area like say labor relations congress intended leave private parties work certain matters see machinists wisconsin employment relations question owns property needs answer ordinarily federal law provide specific answer state law find appropriately defined forbidden category looking congressional purpose establishing uniform laws regulate administrationof pension funds compare ingersoll rand mcclendon massachusetts morash supra case involve lawsuit fund agree majority erisa likely pre empt state law permitted suit case reason believe louisiana law produce case eskine eskine la cited majority involved governmental plan covered erisa see lawsuit us concerns benefits fund already distributed asks fund others subsequent accounting discuss part lawsuit interfere payment survivor annuity sandra see circumstances see allowing respondents suit go forward interfere administration bellsouth pension plan according erisa requirements whether children allowed seek accounting plan fiduciaries continue owe duty plan participants beneficiaries see contrary majority suggestion dorothy children equivalent plan participants beneficiaries see grocery store bank ira account recipient funds emerged pension plan form distributed benefit one claims contrary moreover children seeking accounting plan participant died even threat children lawsuit pose plan administration far less posed division plan assets upon separation divorce allowed see infra part course one look still narrowlydefined category category testamentary bequests erisa pension benefits one spouse dies narrow category extent change question one occupying field one whether extent louisiana law frustrates interferes important federal purpose question important indeed cases found conflicts state community property law federal statutes governing retirement insurance savings funds operated funded federal government see mansell mansell mccarty mccarty ridgway ridgway hisquierdo supra free bland wissner wissner cases turned particular federal purposes embodied particular federal statutes issue question posed similarly requires examination erisa specific statutory provisions see whether reveal language important purpose state community property laws conflict either directly sense state laws frustrate achievement statutory purpose see malone turn question sandra boggs supported solicitor general points three statutory provisions believes louisiana law conflicts anti alienation provision provision dealing exception anti alienation section qualified domestic relations order provision concerns joint survivor pension annuities shall consider turn erisa anti alienation provision says benefits provided qualified erisa plan may assigned alienated stated provision reflects decision safeguard stream income pensioners dependents guidry sheet metal workers nat pension fund sandra boggs solicitor general claim louisiana law interferes significant anti alienation objective permitting dorothy nonparticipant spouse obtain undivided interest pension isaac participant spouse permitting dorothy transfer interest death children far erisa concerned third parties first claim simply attacking dorothy possession undivided one half interest portion retirement benefits accrued marriage isaac attack assign ment interest aliena tion interest dorothy interest arose assignment alienation operation louisiana community property law thus sandra claim must community property law grant undivided one half interest retirement benefits nonparticipant wife husband violates congressional purpose purpose congress recognized community property law like kind property law create various property interests nonparticipant spouses see ii ii community property law like property law provide appropriate legal framework resolving disputes owns anti alienation provision designed prevent plan beneficiaries prematurely divesting funds need retirement prevent application property laws thatdefine legal interest funds one find frustration anti alienation purpose simply state law definition property second claim attacking dorothy testamentary transfer children plausible nonetheless one exception discussed erisa concern pension fund beneficiary isaac pension money death surprising death beneficiary money longer needed beneficiary support erisa embody congressional purpose restrict isaac pension funds death reason believe embodies similar general purpose respect dorothy insofar pension community property belongs dorothy isaac equally much erisa restrict testamentary power respect property restricts see one possible answer question one might argue dorothy first die testamentary transfer gave third parties persons erisa indifferent funds isaac might otherwise used retirement reason testamentary transfer tends frustrate purpose anti alienation provision general erisa purpose argument one exception see part infra beside point however state law action seeks accounting take place deaths dorothy isaac moreover argument depends upon doubtful assumptions congress purposes consider shares stock cash isaac received plans retired dorothy bequest affects assets stock cash remain bellsouth pension plan funds emerged plan formof distributed payment far erisa concerned isaac used retirement benefits pay vacation buy house bet races given money children erisa left dorothy similarly free wished share stock cash alive time receipt understand erisa concerned dorothy creation affected retirement assets isaac received recognize isaac use buy new house pay medical expenses gamble rather put money ira account one explained fact likelihood reflects exigencies tax law see make difference sandra boggs solicitor general look support another portion anti alienation section amendment part retirement equity act rea pub stat affects division assets upon divorce section says anti alienation provision shall apply order determined qualified domestic relations order qdro provision defines qdros include certain orders made pursuant state domestic relations law including community property law ii ii meet certain requirements government argues provision shows orders count alienations prohibited since probate orders effectuating dorothy testamentary transfers fall within qdro exception anti alienation section amended taken whole pre empts louisiana law qdro provisions view support government argument qdro exception purport interpret anti alienation provision quoted supra rather simply says provision shall apply creation assignment recognition right benefit payable respect participant pursuant domestic relations order relates provision child support alimony payments marital property rights spouse former spouse child dependent participant ii second amendment taken whole concerns divorce separation probate see department labor advisory opinion issued citing cong rec pp enacting rea congress focused marital dissolution dependent support amendment says state judges award pension related property nonparticipant spouse unless order meets certain requirements recordkeeping requirements prohibition increasing amount benefits erisa plan otherwise pay said congress stating anti alienation section covers divorce related orders exempting qualified orders additional coverage created amendment thus regulates transfers living spouses intend affect testamentary transfers taking place death third qdro provision shows congress object orders transfer pension benefits erisa plan participant former spouse alive least orders meet certain procedural requirements one might ask congress object orders transfer benefits former spouse death dorothy boggs remained isaac many years divorced obtained qdro declared community property interest isaac pension benefits left interest children anomalous find congressional purpose erisa despite absence express statutory language indication congress even considered question effect deprive dorothy interest instead divorcing isaac stay ed till last breath tr oral arg finally language even taken literally help sandra significantly probate order awarding property estate tochildren easily squeezed definition domestic relations order order placing property estate order provides property rights spouse former spouse child dependent order distributing estate property child readily described order relating marital property rights see department labor advisory opinion supra probate orders domestic relations orders sandra boggs solicitor general rely third statutory provision sets forth specific provisions concerning payment annuities plan participant surviving spouse section says erisa plan must ensure accrued benefit payable plan participant takes form qualified joint survivor annuity term qualified joint survivor annuity means annuity plan participant life surviving spouse sandra less percent greater percent amount annuity payable joint lives participant spouse parties argued provision affects shares stock lump sum need decide whether assets count accrued benefits plan insist waiver sandra order pay way form annuity thus assume either stock cash accrued benefits sandra waived rights either way affect outcome stock cash monthly annuity payments however area different matter paid bellsouth management pension plan defined benefit pension plan initially isaac lifetime second wife sandra life annuities fall within scope erisa provision seeks guarantee person participant spouse time participant death receive annuity described unless spouse waived right receive survivor annuity waiver survivor portion annuity election cash distribution rather annuity see cfr agree majority louisiana give dorothy children share pension annuity sandra receiving without frustrating purpose provision inconsistency end matter however dorothy children sought different relief although children apparently requested portion sandra monthly annuity payments state pleading record stipulated oral argument seeking accounting tr oral arg according sandra complaint declaratory judgment children asked accounting fifth circuit spoke accounting mention relief form percentage sandra annuity see difference important children pointed oral argument accounting simply declare dorothy died community property interest isaac pension benefits possible louisiana law permit dorothy heirs collect pension benefits nonpension community assets equivalent value see la civ code art west succession representative broad power subject probate approval liquidate estate sale exchange estate assets pay debts legacies purpose cf la rev stat ann west supp judicial partition assets divorce hare hodgins equalize allocation community assets termination may grant cash property lieu actual percentage pension payments james opinion rehearing sims sims setting forth formula calculating former spouse share pension benefits mcclanahan pp state courts may allocate entire pension employee spouse allocate spouse community property equal value half pension case isaac apparently retained possession nonpension assets community dorothy death gave lifetime usufruct portion estate bequeath outright dorothy bequeathed portion estate anyone appears louisiana law automatically given usufruct death remarriage see la civ code art west supp circumstance louisiana law might provide accounting allow dorothy estate heirs recover dorothy community property share nonpension assets isaac estate heirs death applying law louisiana might allocate property federally granted property rights sandra right survivor annuity fully protected cf bendler marshall la app first wife entitled reimbursement community property share husband pension contributions second surviving wife first wife entitled share second wife survivor annuity succession decedent ira contained community property assets listed asset estate designated beneficiary however estate deemed contain equivalent cash value see generally la civ code art west rule particular situation derived legislation custom bound proceed according equity course lower courts describe precise nature dorothy state law interest explain exactly accounting worked deny sandra request declaratory judgment erisa prohibits accounting may reflect fact one raised argument appeals panel decision case therefore grant sandra declaratory judgment unless certain louisiana law lawfully permit dorothy leave community property interest pension assets children given authority cited state law might lawfully roughly way following imaginary example illustrates assume time dorothy death dorothy isaac following community property pension assets stock investments total louisiana law might provide dorothy isaac owned worth community assets louisiana law might also provide permit probate decide share belonging dorothy estate consisted worth stock leaving isaac stock pension assets ifthat erisa care louisiana law simply postpone division community property isaac death lifetime usufruct erisa care moreover isaac bequeathed entire worth stock charity assume probate block bequest ground worth stock isaac give away assume tried give sandra entire see erisa care stock belonged dorothy either case understand congress want pre empt louisiana law insofar law provides accounting collection property property annuity requires bellsouth plans pay sandra survivor annuity provision assures sandra receive annuity rest life louisiana law assumption take either annuity asset belongs one say sandra receive certain assets assets belonged community isaac right give anyone first place nothing erisa suggests cares happens assets survivor annuity provision says nothing indeed isaac community might might assets isaac might might tried leave assets sandra children charity erisa seems indifferent presence absence assets isaac try dorothy divorced isaac erisa permitted state law give assets also half pension left alater appearing sandra diminished annuity see given congress purpose allowing state courts give first wives community property share pension assets congress intended include silent implication strips dorothy asset may bulk community property simply instead divorcing isaac remained wife died assumptions made find conflict case one depart congress actually said erisa infer abstract general purpose say help second wife expense first wife state law created interest property take anything like latter approach logical stopping place confusion unnecessary interference state property laws become inevitable moreover particularly careful making assumptions interaction louisiana law courts consider possible ground conflict pre emption sum annuity goes sandra surviving spouse otherwise dorothy remain free bequeath share marital estate children reading relevant statutory provisions purposes protects sandra limits erisa interference basic state property family law minimizes extent erisa interfere dorothy pre existing property cf hodel irving federal statute stripping property owner right pass interest descent devise constitutes taking fifth amendment babbitt youpee slip statutory restriction class permissible heirs constitutes taking general reasons well specific reasons provided convince erisa notpre empt louisiana law question therefore affirm judgment footnotes