The Brandon Five

What's the current vesting schedule for healthcare until age 65? That was the OT.

Doesn't happen in the private sector very often anymore, regardless of tenure.

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

Apparently I am becoming comprehension-challenged. I can't find, in any of the links provided, anything which says public sector employees are vested in healthcare until 65.

If you would, please point it out to me or at least tell me which link states this. I, for one, find it hard to believe.

Most employers, both public and private, allow their retirees to participate in their health care program (as a secondary insurance to Medicare or as a primary if collecting pension benefits between 60 and 65) but the employees are expected to pay for it themselves. I know for a fact it works that way in the federal government because I pay my mother's portion of her supplementary BC/BS plan.

I'd love to see where someone is paying the entire amount or offers it to people who are not collecting retirement or disability payments.



Like I said, I don't think it happens in the public sector, either....Please point me to where it says that. I did read through the Georgia school plan - and they, too, pay for their insurance out of their retirement benefits - it even states that if the payment is larger than their benefit check they must directly pay the amount owed to the health insurance company themselves.

What if my retirement check is not enough to cover my
health insurance?
In this case, the health insurance department bills you directly.

There are only 4 deductions: federal taxes, state taxes, health insurance,
and dental insurance. If you do not carry health insurance or
dental insurance with PSERS, then those deductions are not made

PatsFanInVa

So in answer to your inquiry, B5:

Since the OT is "[personal slur against any public sector worker]... 15 years = lifetime health care benefits",

There is no OT.

They pay into health insurance, then the insurance covers them, from what we've actually seen here.

I'll join the Mrs. in a request to show that public sector workers in GA get lifetime health benefits free once they have worked 15 years.

PFnV

The Brandon Five

Insurance during retirement is a rare perk. Do you pay your premiums 20 years in advance now? Usually you pay for coverage during the covered period. This is a treat, not a service that has been paid for in full by the recipient.

I'll leave it to the OP to provide what you were asking for. I was just pointing out that pensions and retirement health insurance are separate.

I don't know about Georgia, but I know people in Massachusetts who have their health care coverage paid-in-full as part of their retirement. In fact, some plans even allowed them to opt out of Medicare, putting the state or town on the hook for lifetime coverage. My town put an end to that noise, but I know that there are others who have that arrangement (my father-in-law's brother, for one).

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

I don't know about Massachusetts - seems like you guys have a bunch of benefits which other states do not have.

I do know that the federal government does not pay anywhere near "in full" health insurance benefits for their retirees.

PatriotsReign

In all honesty, the time has come to end all publically funded retirement benefits for public employees. If they're going to make around the same as private sector workers, why should the avg. taxpayer be funding their retirement (as in "any of it")? We should just set up 401k's for them and match up to 3%.

Especially since most state & local jobs are secured by "who you know". There is a high level of unfairness in these 2 arena's. Add to that the fact that jobs are extremely hard to get and many private sector companies are even doing away with matching contributions.

Anyone agree/disagree?

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DarrylS

When I worked for the state there was a move to do this, never gathered much steam.. this is being floated again, but the point is how to get from point A to point B.. as the currenty employees subsidize the retirees. Many of the young kids also did a deferred savings account also, they are living well.

FYI at one time I paid 15%+ of my salary for pension and social security contributions, this is increasing once again for current employees.

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PatriotsReign

You're right, it would be difficult to implement. Maybe some would have to be grandfathered in and then start with new employees.

I also realize that many public sector employess pay a significant amount of their earnings into their retirement. But the true test is, are these employees getting more than they paid into the system? If they are, then the public is funding part of their retirement. Just look at the number of people employed by cities, states and the federal gov't! The number has gotten so large, it's become a burden upon the average taxpayer. And it's a burden we can't afford.

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DarrylS

Besides bytching what can be done?? Keep in mind most of the folks who collect pensions are in the 15-35K year range, all benefits are skewed by the fat cats at the top.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

PatriotsReign

My biggest beef with gov't workers outside their costs to taxpayers is the number of them who get their jobs because they know someone. If I'm paying these workers, I don't want the buddies of elected officials on my payroll.

__________________
"No one walking this earth knows what is truly righteous"