Patrick Pushes To Revamp Health Care For Retired State, Municipal Workers
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick is planning to file a bill to overhaul health care benefits for retired state and municipal employees, changes that could save up to $20 billion over the next 30 years.
The recommendations stem from a report by a special commission that studied the soaring costs of retiree health care.
The bill would increase the minimum years of service an employee must have before being vested in the retiree health care system from the current 10 years to 20 years.
The minimum eligibility age would also rise from 55 to 60 for most workers.
The changes would not affect current retirees or employees who are within five years of retirement and have completed 20 years of service.
Patrick said in announcing the plan on Friday that the goal is to "create a benefit system that is both fair and sustainable."
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
