News5 was first to report that retirees learned earlier this month that their healthcare, which was previously free to retirees with more than 20 years of service to the county, would cost them $56.08 a month in 2026. By 2027, they would be charged the full active retiree amount, yet to be determined. The 2026 full amount is $112.16.
The board is made up of both elected officials and county leaders.
Previously, County Administrator Bret Waters said he was under the impression that the benefit for long-time retirees was not something that had been officially communicated to retirees as a benefit. He later learned that wasn't the case.
"I received a number of emails from retirees with letters sent by the retirement office in El Paso County that stated that those benefits were free. I think someone could presume that’s free forever, free for life," Waters said.
The reversal of the decision, which was made at the board’s September meeting, was met with applause from retirees who attended Wednesday morning. The benefit applies to retirees under the age of 65 who would qualify for Medicare.
"[I'm] relieved, for our retirees and for myself obviously," Lisa Powell, a retired emergency preparedness manager for El Paso County Public Health said, "this was an earned benefit, it wasn't a perk, it wasn't a fringe."
Powell, who retired in 2022 after 32 years working for the county, said she found out about the benefit changes through a letter.
"This was not a good decision made for people who spent their lives serving our community, and to have it quickly dismissed as if our work didn't matter," Powell said.
A third-party study presented to the board in September showed that benefits, excluding pensions, for all retirees carry a $147 million liability for the county. With that in mind, the board was looking at ways to save costs.
“Every benefit plan shifts over time; in this case, we were looking at the fiscal sustainability," Waters said.
"We're going to look at the entire picture again, the entire medical plan again," Waters said "really our goal is to make sure this is a sustainable plan."
297 retirees fall into the category of more than 20 years of service to the county and are receiving healthcare benefits, the study showed the county would have saved about $200,000 in 2026 if it began charging retirees.
When asked if charging retirees for benefits is something that would come up in the future, Waters said he does not plan on bringing any motions in the future for retirees or those on the verge of retirement.
"If I was a retiree, I'd rest pretty easy on that because I simply don't think it will be reconsidered, at least from my perspective" Waters said.
The board passed the decision unanimously to begin charging retirees with more than 20 years of service for healthcare benefits at its September meeting, but three board members, including Sheriff Joe Roybal and Clerk and Recorder Steve Schlieker, were not present.
Roybal and Schleiker both spoke during the board meeting on Wednesday morning.
"A promise made should be a promise kept," Roybal said.
Schleiker said he was disappointed in the previous decision and by reversing course, "it was a symbol of respect and gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to El Paso County."
- Watch our previous coverage in the video player below.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
_____
_____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
