Retirement Benefits Cost-Saving Decision Delayed

After hearing an argument to keep them by Mayor Kant, the Council decided to delay a decision on the FAC's recommendation to end providing healthcare benefits (OPEB) for retired city employees between the ages of 55 and 65(when they become eligible for Medicare).These benefits, for current retirees/employees, are costing the city over $600,000 this year--with a total accrued liability of 6.5 million (which will rise when more are hired). The termination of the benefits, if adopted at the next Council meeting, will apply to new hires only (after Jan 1, 2010): current employees' retirement benefits will not be affected.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Kants always been more worried about keeping employees happy with big salaries and benefits--than pleasing the citizens who elected him , it seems to me
Anonymous said…
at $6 million, our population of approx. 16,500 owes $363.63 per person just to cover the $6 million. Say Kant hires a 21 year old and council keeps this in place. After 20 years, we'll be paying for this person's health care for another 24 years (with their retirement contribution of 10%).
Employees & families already receive FREE HEALTH BENEFITS! These freebees have got to stop COMPLETELY! We are held up almost at the point of a gun every day, raped of our tax dollars to support the Government freebees. I don't want Gov't to take care of me. I want them to do their job, not buy votes to keep these idiots in office at evey level.