Wayne County Settlement with Retirees Could Save $20 Million

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans announced a settlement today with retirees to cut health care costs by about $20 million.

The agreement came after a six-year-long battle.  Retirees filed a lawsuit against Wayne County in 2009 for reducing their health care benefits.

Evans says the settlement allows retirees to maintain access to health care.

“We were very, very concerned that the that we settled in way that provided health care and that we did what we need to do now and ongoing with our employees to make sure that they can take benefit of everything that’s important for them to be able to utilize in this deal,” Evans says.   

Part of the agreement allows 80 percent of retirees, who are eligible for Medicare, to receive a monthly stipend of $130 for additional coverage.

The other 20 percent, who are not Medicare-eligible, will also receive a monthly stipend based on income level.