SEMO retirees pay bigger share for health plan

To the editor:

This letter is intended for all individuals contemplating retirement from Southeast Missouri State University. In case you were not aware of the discrimination, retirees from the university are assessed a higher monthly health-insurance premium than Southeast pays for its current employees.

When my husband retired last year, he was informed that his individual monthly premium would increase 40 percent. That would be a shock to most families, as it was to ours. In October he received notification that his premium would increase an additional 39 percent.

I am a retired educator, and in my plan I pay the same monthly premium as the school district pays for those currently employed. When rates increase, the same rate is applied to all individuals, both currently employed and retirees. In checking with a number of individuals retired from a variety of businesses, I have found no businesses that discriminate against retirees by having them pay a higher monthly premium.

The university has a plan with a somewhat lower premium, but it penalizes individuals with a $1,500 deductible, out-of-pocket expenses of $4,000 and a $500 pharmacy deductible.

Retirees from Southeast are being short-changed on their health-insurance premiums. Do you agree?

JUDY BANE

Cape Girardeau