L.A. pension board rejects freeze on health subsidy for retired police, firefighters

The agency that oversees benefits for nearly 10,000 retired Los Angeles police officers and firefighters has rejected a call from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to freeze the size of the health subsidy given to pensioners.

Villaraigosa held a news conference two days ago to urge the nine-member Fire and Police Pensions board to reject a planned 7% increase to the subsidy it provides each retiree.

On Thursday, the board voted 5 to 4 to go ahead with the increase, bringing the monthly subsidy -- which covers insurance premiums -- to $1,097 per retiree.

Five of the board’s nine members are selected by Villaraigosa. But one mayoral appointee, Adlai Wertman, voted to ignore Villaraigosa and approve the subsidy hike.

Villaraigosa had argued that a freeze on the subsidy would save the city $4.8 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Board President Dean Hansell voted with the mayor but disagreed with his estimate, saying such a move would have saved only $200,000 next year because payments affiliated with the subsidy increase are spread over 24 years.

Hansell said other board members called for the city to find alternatives to addressing the budget crisis that do not affect retirees.

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-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall

Comments

[Robert]

And that sound, my fellow Angelenos, is all of us residents getting fleeced once again.

Libraries shut down, parks decay, potholes rule the streets and L.A. teeters ever closer to bankruptcy.

So, while you and I struggle to pay our own health care costs (not to mention our family members), sleep well at night knowing that city retirees will continue to get a 100% free health insurance ride PLUS a 7 percent boost in 2011.

Isn't this a great town?

[u know]

Once again Villaraigosa doesnt know what he's talking about

[racheltucke]

The first new rule says you HAVE to have insurance. Both my husband and I have pre-existing conditions, and although the new bill says we can't be denied coverage because of it. So far, the cheapest health insurance we've been able to find is called "Wise Health Insurance" search for it online if you are pre-existing conditions.

[red]

how about letting the taxpayers vote on these increases?
if they are paying for them, why not?

[JD]

Let's make sure that no one on the board is ever associated with the unions, special interest or lobbyist!! This way we don't get the back door deals like our electric costs going up.

As you see the mayors pocket toy didn't even vote his way because he's a union pocket toy. Google his name for the facts!! He doesn't want his pension cut as a teacher so he helps the fire/police. Last I saw they were pretty overweight too.

Kick this bum out of town! He's more focuses on his new season tickets to the new stadium that cutting the city's expenses.

[corn]

I am not sure what information people like Robert, below, are working from. I am one of those City Pensioners and I pay $800 per month for a family of three for my medical subsidy. And shame on me if I go to the wrong doctor, I will pay full price for that wrong doctor visit.

I worked a full career to earn my pension. I took upon great risk of life and health in doing so. My family faced the risk that I might not return home on any given work night, or that I might become injured and impaired for the remaining years of my life. Many officers/firefighters have had this happen. And we do the thankless jobs that most of you would not do while facing law suits, insults and hostilities as though we were societies mortal enemy. No, thank you, I am glad to be retired...now if I can just survive the attacks on my pension, from my fellow citizens for whom I served.

Besides, the Mayor is busy building a football team...haven't all of you critics noticed that. Stand by to see his friends making millions, sitting in executive boxes or on the sidelines while I will not be able to afford a ticket for parking let alone seats in the nosebleed section of the stadium who's design and location I didn't favor.

Get a clue Los Angeles

[the Q]

Corn,

You're comments are well taken, but unfortunately, some may take exception to folks retiring at 55 with 90% of their salary.

If one were to work till 65, this would greatly reduce some of the public opprobrium sent your way.

And the other problems is that most firefighters and police vote overwhelmingly republican and they are the ones waging this war against public unions and pensions, so I don't really sympathize with you guys much.

Also, the knee jerk reaction by public unions to even the most sensible modifications has stirred up a hornets nest.