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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1994.10.27 - 24275MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 94292 October 13, 1994 BY: Personnel Committee, Marilynn Gosling, Chairperson RE: RETIREMENT HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES TRANSFERRING FROM THE DEFINED BENEFIT TO DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLAN To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the escalation of health care costs have been continuously monitored and assessed by the County, and WHEREAS periodic adjustments may be necessary to sound fiscal management of County resources, WHEREAS retirement health care benefits for new employees have not been adjusted since 1985, and WHEREAS no changes were recommended in retirement health care benefits concurrent with the recent change in the retirement for new employees from a Defined Benefit Plan to a Defined Contribution Plan, and WHEREAS this administration feels it is prudent to address the retirement health care issue for new employees in tandem with the recent changes in the retirement plan, and WHEREAS retirement health care benefits for new employees should be adjusted to better reflect the marketplace and to further contain costs while maintaining a reasonably competitive employee compensation package, and WHEREAS under current economic conditions it is reasonable to expect employees to complete a minimum number of service years before they are eligible for health care benefits on retirement, and WHEREAS current eligibility for retirement health care was based on circumstances prior to 1985, and WHEREAS the plan to allow employees currently in the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan the option to transfer to the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan recommends no loss of retirement health care benefits such employees are currently entitled to, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that employees hired or non- vested former employees rehired on or after January 1, 1995 shall be eligible for a basic health care benefit on retirement with completion of no less than fifteen years of actual service with Oakland County, as further described in this resolution and in the attachments hereto. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on completion of fifteen years of actual County service, employees hired on or after January 1, 1995 shall be credited with 60% of a County paid retiree health care plan, credited at the rate of 4% each year for the first fifteen years of employment, and shall accumulate 4% additional retirement health care credit per annum with a maximum benefit of 100% of the County paid portion of retirement health care on completion of twenty-five (25) years of eligible County service, excluding employee co-pays and deductibles, as described in Attachment B, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that employees hired on or after January 1, 1995 shall pay the difference between the total health care percentage points accumulated and 100% of the actual cost of the retirement health care plan they are enrolled in, excluding co- pays and deductibles, to be eligible for this benefit, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that employees who transfer from the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan to the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan shall retain the same retirement health care coverage they would have received had they remained in the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, as described in the Attachment A, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for employees hired on or after January 1, 1995, health care benefits on retirement shall be extended to an employee's eligible spouse in the same manner that this benefit is extended to a spouse under retirement health care provisions in effect prior to January 1, 1995. Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution. Attachment A Retirement Health Care Plans Contingent on date of hire: Note: County paid Retirement Health Care coverage described below do not cover employee deductibles or co-pays. Employees/Retirees are responsible for their own deductibles and co-pays. In each of the following plans the benefit does not take effect until the employee/retiree has: A. Attained age 60 with 8 or more years eligible County service, or B. Attained age 55 with 25 or more years eligible County service. I. Hired prior to September 21, 1985 (Regular and Deferred retirements): A. Employees with less than 8 years eligible County service: - no retirement health care coverage. B. Employees with 8 or more years eligible County service: - County paid Single Person or Family Health Care coverage C. Defined Contribution Plan - Retirement health care covers the employee and their spouse of record at the time of retirement, both for their lifetime. If the retiree dies, the spouse will continue to receive health coverage as long as the spouse was the spouse of record at the time of retirement and was covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of the retiree's death. If the surviving spouse were to remarry, the new spouse could not be added to the County health care plan. A subsequent spouse of the retiree can be added to the retiree's health plan but would not be eligible for health coverage upon the retiree's death. Dependent children of the retiree are eligible for continued health coverage after the retiree's death if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continue as dependents under the spouse who was the spouse of record at the time of retirement, subject to the requirements of the health 6 plan. In the case where a spouse of record is not named at the time of retirement, but a dependent child is, the dependent child will be eligible for continued health coverage upon the retiree's death through the end of the year in which they have their 25th birthday, if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death. Children of the retiree whether natural, adopted, or for which the retiree is the legal guardian or provides principal support who were not covered under the retiree's health plan at the time of retirement may be added at a later date. A surviving spouse may not subsequently add children to the health care coverage. Defined Benefit Plan - Retirement health care covers the retiree for the retiree's lifetime. For all retirement options except for straight life, if the retiree dies, the spouse will continue to receive health coverage as long as the spouse is the named beneficiary, was covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continues to receive the retiree's retirement allowance. If the surviving spouse were to remarry, the new spouse could not be added to the County health care plan. A subsequent spouse of the retiree can be added to the retiree's health plan but would not be eligible for health coverage upon the retiree's death. Dependent children of the retiree are eligible for continued health coverage after the retiree's death if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continue as dependents under the spouse who was the named beneficiary of the retirement allowance subject to the requirements of the health plan. In the case where a spouse is not a named beneficiary of the retirement allowance but a dependent child is, the dependent child will be eligible for continued health coverage upon the retiree's death through the end of the year in which they have their 25th birthday, if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death. At any point if the retirement allowance ends, health coverage also ends. Children of the retiree whether natural, adopted, or for which the retiree is the legal guardian or provides principal support who were not covered under the retiree's health plan at the time of retirement may be added at a later date. A surviving spouse may not subsequently add children to the health care coverage. D. Retiree has a one-time option to purchase dental coverage under the County group dental plan at group rates. Dental coverage terminates with non-payment of group plan premium. Retiree cannot re-enter plan if terminated for non- payment of premium or if they drop out of the plan. Deferred retirees are not eligible for dental. cvl / 940927 2 7 II. Hired prior to January 1„ 1995 but on or after September 21, 1985: A. Employees with less than 8 years eligible County service: - no retirement health care coverage. 13. Employees with 8 through 14 years eligible County service: - County paid Single Person Health Care coverage. - Plus option to buy up to Family Health Care coverage. C. Employees with 15 or more years eligible County service: - County paid Single Person or Family Health Care coverage. D. Deferred Retirements (hired after 9/21/85 but before 1/1/95): - Less than 15 years eligible County service: - No Retirement Health Care coverage. - 15 through 19 years eligible County service: - County paid Single Person Health Care coverage - Plus - option to buy up to Family Health Care coverage - 20 or more years eligible County service: - County paid Family Health Care coverage E. Defined Contribution Plan - Retirement health care covers the employee and their spouse of record at the time of retirement, both for their lifetime. If the retiree dies, the spouse will continue to receive health coverage as long as the spouse was the spouse of record at the time of retirement and was covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of the retiree's death. If the surviving spouse were to remarry, the new spouse could not be added to the County health care plan. A subsequent spouse of the retiree can be added to the retiree's health plan but would not be eligible for health coverage upon the retiree's death. Dependent children of the retiree are eligible for continued health coverage after the retiree's death if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continue as dependents under the spouse who was the spouse of record at the time of retirement, subject to the requirements of the health plan. In the case where a spouse of record is not named at the time of retirement, but a dependent child is, the dependent child will be eligible for continued health coverage upon the retiree's death through the end of the y ear in which they have their 25th birthday, if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death. cvl / 940927 2 8 Children of the retiree whether natural, adopted, or for which the retiree is the legal guardian or provides principal support who were not covered under the retiree's health plan at the time of retirement may be added at a later date. A surviving spouse may not subsequently add children to the health care coverage. Defined Benefit Plan - Retirement health care covers the retiree for the retiree's lifetime. For all retirement options except for straight life, if the retiree dies, the spouse will continue to receive health coverage as long as the spouse is the named beneficiary, was covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continues to receive the retiree's retirement allowance. If the surviving spouse were to remarry, the new spouse could not be added to the County health care plan. A subsequent spouse of the retiree can be added to the retiree's health plan but would not be eligible for health coverage upon the retiree's death. Dependent children of the retiree are eligible for continued health coverage after the retiree's death if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continue as dependents under the spouse who was the named beneficiary of the retirement allowance subject to the requirements of the health plan. In the case where a spouse is not a named beneficiary of the retirement allowance but a dependent child is, the dependent child will be eligible for continued health coverage upon the retiree's death through the end of the year in which they have their 25th birthday, if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death. At any point if the retirement allowance ends, health coverage also ends. Children of the retiree whether natural, adopted, or for which the retiree is the legal guardian or provides principal support who were not covered under the retiree's health plan at the time of retirement may be added at a later date. A surviving spouse may not subsequently add children to the health care coverage. F. Retiree has a one-time option to purchase dental coverage under the County group dental plan at group rates. Dental coverage terminates with non-payment of group plan premium. Retiree cannot re-enter plan if terminated for non- payment of premium or if they drop out of the plan. Deferred retirees are not eligible for dental. cvl / 940927 2 9 cvl / 940927.2 1 0 . • ' HI. Hired on or after January 1.1995 (New Plan): Employees awarded health care points based on eligible service as described in Attachment B. A. Employee awarded 60 health care points (60%) at the completion of their 15th year of eligible County employment, reflecting retroactive credit at the rate of 4 points per eligible service year (15x4). B. Employee continues to earn health care points at the rate of 4 points (4%) each additional year through the completion of 25 years of County service. C. Maximum health care points that can be earned equals 100 (25x4). Total health care points equate to the amount, as expressed in percent, of the County-paid portion of a Single Person or Family Retirement Health Care Plan. D. Employee/Retiree with a total health care point accumulation less than 100 (100%), must pay the difference between their total health care credits and 100% of their plan cost in order to receive this benefit. Failure to pay the employees portion of plan costs within required time limits will result in termination from retirement health care coverage. Once coverage is terminated, it cannot be restarted later. In addition, you must begin coverage when eligible as defined by the age and service requirements above. You cannot activate the coverage later. E. Service time, for which retirement health care points will be credited, shall be determined on the same basis as time recognized by the Oakland County Retirement System for employees in the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan. F. Military service credit is excluded from the computation of health care points for the purpose of retirement health care coverage. Military service applies only toward retirement service credit under the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan. G. Defined Contribution Plan - Retirement health care covers the employee and their spouse of record at the time of retirement, both for their lifetime. If the retiree dies, the spouse will continue to receive health coverage was long as the spouse was the spouse of record at the time of retirement and was covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of the retiree's death. If the surviving spouse were to remarry, the new spouse could not be added to the County health care plan. A subsequent spouse of the retiree can be added to the retiree's health plan, but would not be eligible for health coverage upon the retiree's death. (Hired on or after January 1, 1995 (New Plan) Cont. Dependent children of the retiree are eligible for continued health coverage after the retiree's death if they were covered by the retiree's health plan at the time of death and continue as dependents under the spouse who was the spouse of record at the time of retirement, subject to the requirements of the health plan. Children of the retiree whether natural, adopted or for which the retiree is the legal guardian or provides principal support who were not covered under the retiree's health plan at the time of retirement may be added at a later date. A surviving spouse may not subsequently add children to the health care coverage. Part-time eligible employees shall be credited with County service and retirement health care points on the same basis that time is recognized by the Oakland County Retirement System for part-time eligible employees under the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan. Such employees must meet the full-time equivalent of the 15 year minimum requirement, as described above, before retirement health care points will be credited to the employee. Retiree has a one-time option to purchase dental coverage under the County group dental plan at group rates. Dental coverage terminates with non-payment of group plan premium. Retiree cannot re-enter plan if terminated for non- payment of premium, or if they drop out of the plan. Deferred retirees are not eligible for dental. cvl / 940927 2 11 Attachment B ACCUMULATION OF HEALTH CARE POINTS - Health Care Points or At Completion Of: Percentage of Retiree Paid Health Care Plan Earned* Up to 15 Years 0% (No Coverage) 15 Years 60% (15 x 4) A 16 Years 64% (16 x 4) 17 Years 68% (17 x 4) 18 Years 72% (18 x 4) 19 Years 76% (19 x 4) 20 Years 80% (20 x 4) 21 Years 84% ( 21 x 4) 22 Years 88% (22 x 4) ; 23 Years 92% (24 x 4) 24 Years 96% (24 x 4) . 25 Years and Remainder 100% (25 x 4) Of County Service *Excluding co-pays. This is the percentage the County would pay toward a Single person , or Family plan, depending on the plan the employee was enrolled in at the time of retirement. The employee would be responsible for the difference between this amount and the current full cost of their health care plan, plus any deductibles or co-pays. 12 October 27, 1994 FISCAL NOTE (Misc. #94292) BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE, JOHN P. McCULLOCH, CHAIRPERSON IN RE: RETIREMENT HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES TRANSFERRING FROM THE DEFINED BENEFIT TO DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLAN TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Rule XI-G of this Board, the Finance Committee has reviewed Miscellaneous Resolution #94292 and finds that funding is available in the retirement system reserves to cover the proposed Retirement Health Care Benefits Plan for new employees and employees transferring from the Defined Benefit to the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. No additional appropriation is required. ( FINANCf COMMITTEE b:\retrhlth.fn E THE FOREGn!"\T4 r'77-',)LUTION I HER /JA/Iv bks Patterson, County Executive Date Resolution #94292 October 27, 1994 Moved by Gosling supported by Kingzett the resolution be adopted. AYES: Law, Pernick, Powers, Gosling, Huntoon, NAYS: None McCulloch, McPherson, Moffitt, Newby, Oaks, Obrecht, Palmer, Schmid, Taub, Wolf, Crake, Dingeldey, Douglas, Garfield, Jensen, Johnson, Kaczmar, Kingzett, Kramer. (24) . (0) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted. STATE OF MICHIGAN) COUNTY OF OAKLAND) I, Lynn D. Allen, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on October 27, 1994 with the original record thereof now remaining in my office. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at Pontiac, Michigan this 27th day oOctobar_1994. Lyng(D. Allen, County Clerk