Bathgate v. National Hockey League Pension Society
NHL Pension Surplus: Trustee Fiduciary Duties
Summary
This case addresses whether the NHL Pension Society, as trustee, breached its fiduciary duties by allocating surplus funds to clubs rather than players. The court upheld the players' exclusive entitlement to surplus funds arising from contributions characterized as deferred wages, ruling that collective bargaining agreements and plan amendments could not override these vested trust obligations.
Outcome
Players' entitlement to surplus funds upheld; amendments allocating funds to clubs found invalid.
Award
Exclusive entitlement of players to surplus funds upheld.
Key Factors
- pension plans
- trusts
- fiduciary duties
- surplus funds
- deferred wages
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