Michael Hiltzik: “‘If I had to guess, this case won’t go well for retirees,’ [U. Mich. law prof. Nicholas] Bagley writes.”

In an era in which corporations have been trying every possible stratagem to cut employee benefits (see our look at the Obamacare employer mandate earlier today), a new threat to retirement benefits has just arisen.

The source of the threat is the Supreme Court, which earlier this month agreed to rule on when or whether employers can unilaterally end retiree healthcare benefits, even when they’re negotiated as part of a union contract.

– The Supreme Court saddles up for an attack on retiree benefits, Michael Hiltzik, LA Times, May 12

The article, which explains the situation and includes the quote in the title of this post, links to Bagley’s post about the Supreme Court case at issue on his Bagley’s blog.  The blog is called The Incidental Economist, and is devoted to discussion of healthcare reform.

The case has already been decided, of course, 5-4, at the Court.  All that remains are the formalities: the briefing, argument, and the opinion written by Samuel Alito.