Early Retirement Plan Gains Support

To help trim operating costs and avoid some possible layoffs, Ventura County supervisors have endorsed a plan that will offer veteran employees health insurance at reduced rates as an early retirement incentive.

The board on Tuesday unanimously approved the insurance plan, aimed at reducing a mounting budget deficit.

If 100 employees retire early and their positions are not replaced, the county could save $5.7 million in salaries next year, said Ron Komers, county personnel director. Employees who are 50 years or older and have served the county for at least a decade would be eligible for the lower insurance rates.

Komers estimated that there are about 900 county employees who would qualify for the program. Under the proposal, participants would be allowed to maintain their current benefits for the same rates charged to active employees, plus a 2% administrative charge.

The biggest savings would be to retirees with a family.

For example, an eligible retiree and two family members would pay $284 a month for medical insurance, as opposed to $654 under current rates for retirees.

Board Chairwoman Maggie Kildee and her colleagues praised Komers and his staff for developing the cost-saving program.

But Kildee said the county will probably not know how effective it is until the board decides later this year what departments will have to cut positions.