Orange County To Overhaul Deputies’ Health Benefits
On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved revisions to a health benefits program for retired sheriff's deputies in an effort to reduce its unfunded liability for retiree health benefits by $140 million, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The county and the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs reached an agreement on several changes to the benefits program, including:
- Reducing the deputies' cost-of-living increase from 5% annually to 3% beginning next year;
- Cutting retirees' benefits by half once they become eligible for Medicare; and
- Increasing retirees' contribution to premiums by 10%.
The agreement also authorizes an annual audit of the medical trust fund controlled by the deputy sheriff's association. The fund is used to pay for the health care benefits (Weikel, Los Angeles Times, 10/24). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.