Posted on 12/27/2007 7:04:10 AM PST by GregoTX
WASHINGTON — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Wednesday that employers could reduce or eliminate health benefits for retirees when they turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare.
The policy, set forth in a new regulation, allows employers to establish two classes of retirees, with more comprehensive benefits for those under 65 and more limited benefits — or none at all — for those older.
More than 10 million retirees rely on employer-sponsored health plans as a primary source of coverage or as a supplement to Medicare, and Naomi C. Earp, the commission’s chairwoman, said, “This rule will help employers continue to voluntarily provide and maintain these critically important health benefits.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Most already do...why is this news?
Because yesterday the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission "set forth in a new regulation, allows employers to establish two classes of retirees, with more comprehensive benefits for those under 65 and more limited benefits — or none at all — for those older.
and
"Further, employers will be able to reduce or eliminate health benefits provided to the spouse or dependents of a retired worker 65 or over, regardless of whether benefits for the retiree are changed."
To answer your question, there have been changes, and that is why it is news.
I wonder if they bump-up the earnings to replace the newly defunct benefit package?
The continued move toward socialized health care....oh, goody/sarc
Yup, this just smacks of socialized medicine. If you want to cut your retirees benefits, then cut them. Don’t dump them on my dime, though.
Forgive my stupidity, but I second Ouderkirk’s question - if it’s already happening, then by definition this isn’t a change.
Well I dont know all the points of this topic. It was a big discussion at the office this morning, so I threw it out on FR to get feedback on it. If it is going on already, I dont know of the extent. The new changes I dont know. I am just now looking into this issue.
The best lies are half-truths; the headline editor wins the prize with this new contribution to my "Woman Arrested for Petting Dog" collection...
Funny, how the absence of one crucial word, "health" can change the entire meaning of a headline.
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission can rule whatever they please.... but I guarantee you that if I retire with a company that had a written policy regarding my health benefits during my retirement and they decide to screw me out of it.... there will be plenty of lawyers who will sue them for me on a contengency basis.
Most insurance companies will justify this by saying that the retired person is now eligible for Medicare benefits.
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