Defendants Win Compensation Row; Judge Rules Plan A Bonus One Exempt From ERISA

( March 12, 2025, 11:20 AM EDT) -- CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Finding that the plan at the center of a compensation dispute “is a bonus plan exempt from” the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a North Carolina federal judge granted summary judgment in favor of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. and other defendants in a putative class action....