Free state employee retiree health coverage being re-considered

The CT Mirror is reporting that some members of a state panel charged with addressing underfunding of CT’s state retiree benefits are questioning the policy giving retirees and their spouses completely free health benefits for life. State employees with just ten years of service are eligible for the benefit, which is unusual in the private sector. Last year, only 12.3% of private establishments in CT offered health benefits to retirees over age 65. A recent Pew Center on the States report found that while all but four states have underfunded retiree benefits, CT was among the worst.
Ellen Andrews