LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of active and retired teachers and other school employees crowded into a Senate hearing Wednesday to voice concerns that proposed changes to theirretirement benefits would unfairly push more costs onto them and even drive some out of education.

The Senate Appropriations Retirement Subcommittee is considering a bill under which all school employees would continue to pay at least 3 percent of salary toward retiree health care. They also would have to contribute anywhere from 1 percent to 5 percent of their salaries to keep their pensions above the contributions they're already making, up to 8 percent.

Retirees would be required to pay 20 percent of their health care premiums, and retiree health care wouldn't be offered before age 60.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical BenefitsPRO information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.