754
Syllabus
required by § 541(c)(2), since ERISA gives participants the right to sue to enjoin acts that violate that statute or the plan's terms. Pp. 759-760. (c) Given the clarity of the statutory text, petitioner bears an "exceptionally heavy" burden of persuasion that Congress intended to limit the § 541(c)(2) exclusion to restrictions on transfer that are enforceable only under state spendthrift trust law. Union Bank v. Wolas, 502 U. S. 151, 155-156. He has not satisfied that burden, since his several challenges to the Court's interpretation of § 541(c)(2)—that it is refuted by contemporaneous legislative materials, that it renders superfluous the § 522(d)(10)(E) debtor's exemption for pension payments, and that it frustrates the Bankruptcy Code's policy of ensuring a broad inclusion of assets in the bankruptcy estate—are unpersuasive. Pp. 760-765. 943 F. 2d 362, affirmed.
Blackmun, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Scalia, J., filed a concurring opinion, post, p. 766.
G. Steven Agee argued the cause and filed briefs for petitioner.
Kevin R. Huennekens argued the cause for respondent. With him on the brief were Robert A. Lefkowitz and Daniel A. Gecker.
Christopher J. Wright argued the cause for the United
States as amicus curiae urging affirmance. With him on the brief were Solicitor General Starr, Acting Assistant Attorney General Bruton, Deputy Solicitor General Mahoney, Gary D. Gray, and Bridget M. Rowan.*
*David B. Tatge, pro se, filed a brief of amicus curiae urging reversal. With him on the brief was Dwight D. Meier.
Briefs of amici curiae urging affirmance were filed for the American Society of Pension Actuaries by David R. Levin; for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America by Stephen A. Bokat, Robin S. Conrad, and Mona C. Zeiberg; for the ERISA Industry Committee et al. by John M. Vine and Thomas M. Christina; for Hallmark Cards, Inc., by M. Theresa Hupp, David C. Trowbridge, and James B. Overman; for Lincoln National Corporation by Brian J. Martin; for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., et al. by Phillip R. Garrison; and for Ronald J. Wyles et al. by David H. Adams.
Briefs of amici curiae were filed for the American College of Trust and
Estate Counsel by Alvin J. Golden and C. Wells Hall III; and for Eldon S. Reed by Cathy L. Reece and Gary H. Ashby.
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