Chair Talk

January 2008

There have been a few things that have happened lately that may have an effect on State Retirees and their Health Benefits. They are:

  1. House Bill 5545 was introduced by Mark Meadows (D East Lansing) on December 6, 2007 sent to his committee (Retiree Health Care Reform) and voted out of committee to the House on December 13, 2007. SERA representatives (Alvin Whitfield and Duane Marlan) testified in opposition to this bill. The bill as written would move the authorization, implementation and administration of State Retiree Health Benefits from Civil Service/Employee Benefits to the Office of Retirement Services with an effective date of July 1, 2008. I believe that if this move were to take place we would see a drastic reduction in our benefits (Health, Dental and Vision). It is important that all State Retirees contact their State Representatives to voice their opposition to this Bill.
  2. Recently the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) enacted a new rule that would allow employers to provide more limited health care benefits for retirees who are 65 and older. The regulation from EEOC makes clear that employers can spend more on retirees under 65 than those over 65 without breaking age discrimination laws, so they can cut or reduce benefits for retirees when they become eligible for Medicare. It is important that you contact your congressional representatives to voice your opinion of this newly adopted rule change.

I have invited Craig Morris (Voluntary Benefits Solutions) to be our program presenter for the February CC meeting. Voluntary Benefits is an optional program currently enjoyed by active state employees. This program will be offered to state retirees this spring.

I am requesting that all those SERA members that were committee chairs and/or members of various committees please retain those assignments for this year. If you are unable to continue in that role please contact me.

I believe that the next few months will be very busy as we attempt to protect our health benefits.

Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380

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