Free Republic

West Contra Costa school district workers have a perk that many employers no longer offer: lifetime retiree health benefits. But that comes at a high cost to the district: an estimated $495 million, which covers benefits for all currently eligible employees and their spouses and amounts to almost twice the district's annual operating budget. According to a recent study on the issue presented to the school board this week, the estimated cost will grow to $727 million once currently ineligible employees become eligible. District officials, who have been aware of the swelling liability for years, cover the cost on a...

Consultant says county needs to save $227 million to cover health care costs for former employees-- Contra Costa County plans to spend no money this coming fiscal year on its skyrocketing future retiree health care bills, further increasing an obligation that now stands at $2.6 billion. The decision came Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors gave preliminary approval to the county's 2007-08 budget, earmarking $33 million to pay for a year's worth of health care services guaranteed to retired county employees. But that amount comes up far short of the $227 million that a county consultant determined should be...