[Adopted 3-15-2005 by L.L. No. 6-2005]
This article shall be known as "The County Policy
on Retirees' Health Benefits."
A.
Pursuant to the County Charter, the Legislature of
Rockland County is the "legislative, appropriating and policy-determining
body" of the County. The determination to provide or not to provide
benefits to County employees is a "policy" determination that is the
jurisdiction of the Legislature to formulate and to fund.
B.
The County Legislature has previously expressed its
policy determination by resolutions as to the entitlement of County
employees upon retirement to continue their health insurance coverage.
C.
The Legislature, by Resolution 545 of 2003, opposed
any unilateral curtailment, reduction or undermining of any benefits
to the detriment of past or present Rockland County employees, by
unauthorized unilateral diminishment of same by the County Director
of Insurance and Risk Management.
[Amended 8-5-2020 by L.L. No. 4-2020]
D.
The Legislature has proclaimed, pursuant to its policy
determination authority, consistent with past practice, retirees who
qualify for health benefits are to retain the level of benefit that
they enjoyed pursuant to their collective bargaining agreements or
the level afforded them as unrepresented appointees to County employment
at the time of their termination of employment, and that they are
entitled to same during their retirement.
E.
The Legislature desires to codify its policy and set
forth the manner that benefits of retirees are to continue.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The collective bargaining unit that the person was covered
by at the time of leaving the employee of the County, or if an unrepresented
employee, the level of benefits in a collective agreement that was
followed, for the titled position that the employee held when the
employee last worked for the County.
The health benefits provided to active employees of Rockland
County that they had or will receive pursuant to their enrollment
in the health benefits plan they participate in at the time of retirement.
A Rockland County employee who has retired in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.
One who has stopped working for the County and has begun
to receive a pension other than social security.
All retirees from Rockland County employment,
who have the required years of service to be eligible for retirement
benefits, shall be eligible to receive the same level of health benefits
consistent with past practice they received on the last day of their
employment, which shall be continued upon retirement. The retirees
shall be liable for their share, if any, of the benefits, as fixed
in the applicable collective bargaining agreement or by law. Said
benefits, if due the retiree once he/she enrolled in a family plan,
shall also inure and continue to the benefit of the surviving spouse,
dependent children or legally designated recipient's beneficiary under
the plan.
