Five Retired MLB Umpires Sue Over Pension Benefits

Published November 5, 2026. The five former umpires — Joe West, along with Jerry Layne, Tom Hallion, Larry Vanover and Gerry Davis — say their retirement benefits were calculated incorrectly. They are seeking additional payments under federal law governing employee benefit plans. Their lawyer, Paul Holmes, said the amount they are owed exceeds $5 million; another estimate from Holmes put the figure at about $2 million.

The lawsuit names the retirement plan for umpires of the American and National Leagues and its retirement committee. West and Vanover received their benefits as lump sums, while the other three receive annual payments. According to the complaint, every one of the five worked at least 25 years in the major leagues.

Holmes said the umpires pursued an administrative process and settlement talks before filing suit. Their appeals were turned down following complaints that started in November 2021. He said the players were willing to accept less than what they believed they were owed to avoid litigation, but the league’s offers were not competitive.

West said that after he raised the issue, Steven Gonzalez, MLB’s senior vice president and chief employment counsel, told him, “If you don’t like the number, sue us.” MLB has declined to comment, citing the pending case. The lawsuit does not include the Major League Baseball Umpires Association as a party.

U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams set a December 11 date for a pretrial conference. West worked a record 5,460 regular-season games from 1976 to 2021. West and Davis retired after the 2021 season, Hallion followed in 2022, and Layne and Vanover both left at the close of 2024.