Workers Retire Early To Lock In Health Care Benefits
Sacramento County in May saw a sudden increase in retirements from employees who wanted to qualify for retiree health benefits before a deadline took effect that eliminated the county's contribution to the cost of such benefits for future retirees, the Sacramento Bee reports.
County supervisors on May 17 voted to cut the county's contribution to medical and dental benefits for employees retiring after May 31. The county's 6,000 current retirees would continue to receive benefits.
The county votes on funding for retiree benefits on an annual basis.
After the board's decision, 16 employees planning to retire after May 31 moved the date forward. By the deadline, another 49 employees filed paperwork to retire.
Bob Haagenson, a county spokesperson, said the number of retirees was not overwhelming and that the increase should balance out in the ensuing months (Fletcher, Sacramento Bee, 6/21).