Firms can cut health care for retirees
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has given employees the permission to cut health care benefits for retirees once they become eligible for Medicare without being accused of age discrimination. Retirees have some cause for concerns as many employer-sponsored health plans offer better benefits than Medicare. However, some experts contend that the ruling will allow for a better coordination of retiree benefits and Medicare. Senior lobbying group, AARP, fears that the new regulation could lead to benefit cuts and may challenge the ruling in court.
See Bruce Japsen, Chicago Tribune, April 22, 2004