One of the biggest fiscal challenges for cities and towns is the cost of health care benefits for retirees. The reform package proposed by Governor Patrick last week would curb some of the most egregious giveaways in the current system, which is out of whack with benefits for most private-sector retirees. It’s a significant step forward, but it also includes some concessions to state unions that would tie the hands of municipal governments. The Legislature should embrace the governor’s plan, and then improve it.
Everyone agrees that the current arrangement is too expensive in an era of more costly health care. At the local level, one need only work for 10 years — and then only in a part-time capacity — to be eligible for post-retirement health-care benefits. On average, municipalities pay about 75 percent of premiums for those benefits, which include health care plans until a retiree becomes eligible for Medicare and a so-called Medigap plan to supplement Medicare thereafter.
Comments
If the benefit packages are out of whack with the private sector , would the editorial board concede that the pay scale for public employees is, and has been, out of whack for generations. You may select cite some higher level management employees and there salaries but I would look at the rank and file and their pay. I would look at the average state pension of $28,500. I would also ask the editorial board to pursue with the same vigor as they do for benefit cuts, pay raises for public employees. Example:Boston Police officers have been without a contract or a raise for over 3 years. They have also received a 12% pay cut ( Quinn Bill elimination) . Regardless of your feelings on Quinn, 12% is 12% ! No other public sector worker has had to endure a pay cut let alone 12% ! To stave off possible layoffs, Boston public employee unions negotiated an increase to health insurance premiums but we continue to be portrayed as greedy and corrupt. How about a little respect from the editorial board.
This comment is a joke, right? The average compensation for Boston cops is absurdly high.
They never deserved the Quinn bill. I agree with incredible1, this comment must be a joke.
So you have a cop, for instance, that has worked 34 years in the inner city and is 55, ready to retire, and he can't count on his health insurance benefit kicking in till 60? Really?
If you've been a cop for 34 years, you've probably taken up residence in Florida, at least for tax purposes, and have plenty of money to pay for your own health insurance until you're 60. Either that, or you can go out and get another job to supplement your pension income. So yes, really.
I don't see that many destitute cops. I'm sure they can afford it, more than we can.
The governor previously cut health benefits for T retirees, for ALL T retirees across the board, no matter how long they had been retired. Many affected had been retired for a long time and their pension value had been eaten away by the passage of time. They also had a signed contract at the time of their retirement the the T would cover their health as long as they lived. Many could have made more in the private sector, but stayed with then T because of the benefits. When Patrick became a lame duck the axe came out. I personally have lost a lot of respect for Patrick and his performance and also his loyalty to the people who helped him get elected.
I'm calling you on the line: "Many could have made more in the private sector". There's no proof to that and how do you know some of these people could of even been employed by the private sector? Sorry, not buying it and neither is the general taxpaying public.
All the trades people on the T could have made more on the outside. Without supplying too many personal facts, let's just say I know for sure. These are union people, previuously working and making a living in the private sector, with long apprenticeships and the skills to prove it. They're on the T because they're tired of working exposed to the lemenmts, without sick leave etc. and they USE TO HAVE FULL retiree health coverage.
Incredible 1 and Willow2....If you only read the final numbers the compensation seems high.....LOOK behind the numbers....the inflated salaries you hear and read about are salaries that include overtime and details.... Go to the 40 hr work week and base salary....tell me what is absurd there...
Ah, the Globe ad the Herald. The private sector, as anybody who has worked in it like I have for 40 years has dropped the ball on medical coverage. The state not as much. I don't even like cops but if youwant somebody to get between you and the ad guys youbetter pay their radical, even in retirement