In Brief.(Allstate Insurance Co. accused for age discrimination)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. planning for generic prescription drug program)(Willis Group Holdings Ltd.'s Joe Plumeri awarded as Insurance Leader of the Year )

Jury to hear Allstate age-discrimination suit

A federal judge ruled a that jury will decide whether Allstate Insurance Co.'s yearlong moratorium on rehiring its former sales agents disproportionately affected workers aged 40 years and older. The litigation stems from the insurer's efforts in 2000 to convert its 15,000-member agent workforce to independent contractors from regular employees.

Wal-Mart expands prescription program

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is accelerating the planned expansion of its $4 generic prescription drug program to 14 states. When Wal-Mart launched the program on Oct. 6 in the Tampa, Fla.-market, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer said it …