County Reforms Retiree Healthcare Benefits to the Tune of $840M

The Board of Supervisors today ratified reforms to the county's retiree healthcare benefits that are expected to save up to $840 million over the next 30 years.

"Today's vote marks the final step in a months-long approval process," Supervisor Don Knabe said, praising the county's "labor partners" for agreeing to the changes.

After weeks of negotiations, labor leaders and management reached an agreement in February that will apply to employees hired after June 30.

The new agreement limits county subsidies to retirees, excluding spouses and children, and requires those who are Medicare-eligible to enroll.

"The county was on the hook, paying for health care for people who had never even worked here," Knabe said, referencing to benefits extended to the dependents of retirees after the employee's death.

"We had a responsibility to reduce spiraling obligations for future employees, while still providing a level of retiree healthcare that is both sustainable and fiscally responsible," he said.

—City News Service