[wbarmy]

Since the Judge seems to imply it is a specious benefit, then get rid of it entirely, let them pay for their own just like I do. They can then keep the 3%.

[Logical me]

Since the Judge seems to imply it is a specious benefit, then get rid of it entirely, let them pay for their own just like I do. They can then keep the 3%.

You beat me to it. Right On! No health benefits. Pay for their own if they want it.

[Starboard]

Good solution. Best to avoid any plans that might be unconstitutional. We wouldn’t want that now, would we?

[TV Dinners]

agree with this.... so now can we stop paying SS taxes???

[eyedigress]

Exactly, remove it entirely and the problem is gone. They will be beating down the door to pay the 3% then.

[ratsreek]

Are the taxpayers currently paying taxes into a fund for retired teachers’ health insurance? is there some reason why they won’t be dumped onto Medicare? Or is this like social security in that they would pay the 3% and maybe get the insurance, maybe not?

[CharlesWayneCT]

Are you really paying now for a future unsecured medical benefit when you retire? That seems to be the issue here — not paying for this year’s benefits, but putting into an account for the promise of retirement medical benefits.

I would guess that requiring the retirees to pay more for the medical benefit would be constitutional — just taking some of their money now isn’t.

Of course, social security is just taking our money now for some future unsecured promise of benefits that congress can take away at any time — but maybe the Michigan constitution has more protections than the U.S. constitution.