Orange County Supervisors Expected To Limit Retiree Health Benefits for County Workers

Orange County Supervisors on Tuesday are expected to approve an agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2076 that would limit members' county-paid retiree health benefits but increase wages for the union's 1,200 members by 2% over the next three years, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The measure is aimed at reducing the county's projected $4.4 billion in future pension, health care and other obligations, including $1.3 billion in unfunded liabilities for employee heath care costs.

Dianna Garcia, the county's chief of employee relations, said workers would not receive county-paid retiree health benefits unless they paid special premiums. According to Garcia, the plan is expected to save the county $2.8 million.

The agreement would affect county workers who retire after Friday, Sept. 30. AFSCME representatives were not available for comment, the Times reports (Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 9/27).