PRT Lawsuit Against AT&T Dismissed

Core Viewpoint - A federal judge dismissed a pension risk transfer case against AT&T but acknowledged that the plaintiffs had standing to sue, indicating a complex legal landscape for plan sponsors [2][3][4]. Group 1: Case Dismissal and Legal Standing - The case, Piercy et al v. AT&T Inc. et al, was dismissed based on the insufficiency of the plaintiffs' substantive claims rather than on standing, which is considered unfavorable for plan sponsors [4]. - The plaintiffs have filed a motion to amend their complaint, suggesting that the court's decision is not a complete victory for plan sponsors [3]. - The judge noted that the question of whether the plaintiffs had standing was a "close question," indicating the legal complexities involved [5]. Group 2: Allegations and Financial Implications - The lawsuits allege that AT&T's choice of Athene Annuity and Life Co. for an $8.05 billion pension risk transfer jeopardized the financial security of 96,000 retirees [4]. - The complaints also claim that State Street, as AT&T's fiduciary adviser, would benefit from the selection of Athene, raising concerns about fiduciary responsibilities [4]. - A spokesperson for Athene characterized the claims as frivolous and driven by predatory trial lawyers, emphasizing the company's stance on the legitimacy of the pension risk transfer [5].