The decedent worked as a pharmacist for SuperValu. He died of a heart attack and was survived by a wife of three years and three children. As part of his employment benefits, Minnesota Life had an insurance policy with death benefits of $415,000. Its terms stated that if a policyholder failed to designate a beneficiary at the date of death, the proceeds would pass to the policyholder's spouse. Shortly after the death, the children found a change of beneficiary form that was completed by their father more than a year before his death but never submitted to Minnesota Life. Defendant then submitted a claim for the policy proceeds, and Minnesota Life filed the present interpleader action asking the court to determine the appropriate beneficiary. The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of the wife.

The Seventh Circuit affirmed. The Court noted that exact compliance with insurance policy terms is not required in Illinois as long as there is substantial compliance. However, it held decedent did not substantially comply with the policy requirements as he had 15 months before his death to return the completed form, but never did so. Minnesota Life Ins. Co. v. Kagan, 724 F.3d 843 (7th Cir. 2013).