Panel on Retiree Health Care Meets in Orange County

A state commission on Friday held a meeting in Orange County to address the cost of health benefits and pensions for retired public employees in California, the Orange County Register reports (Lowe, Orange County Register, 4/27).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in December 2006 signed an executive order to create the 12-member Public Employee Post-Employment Benefits Commission. The governor and Democratic legislative leaders appointed the panelists, including union leaders, investment firm advisers, economics professors and law enforcement representatives.

The commission by Jan. 1, 2008, will offer proposals to the governor and Legislature (California Healthline, 3/12).

Former Assembly member Keith Richman told the commission that in the next few weeks he will unveil a proposal to prohibit public safety employees from retiring before age 55. The current age limit is 50. Richman's initiative also will adopt Social Security age requirements for other public employees (Orange County Register, 4/27).