This policy briefing provides an overview of other post-employment benefits (OPEBs) that the State of Connecticut is responsible for paying, and summarizes recent changes in labor agreements that affect these benefits.
OPEBs are the benefit packages, not including pensions, received by state or local employees upon retirement. In Connecticut, these benefits are defined as medical, prescription drug, and dental and life insurance. The State’s OPEB program is a defined benefit program that applies to any retired state employee who has received benefits from a State-sponsored retirement system, with the exception of the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS)
The State of Connecticut is required by law to collectively bargain for state employee retirement and health benefits with a coalition representing state unionized employees. This coalition is known as the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC). In 1997, Governor John Rowland negotiated a 20-year contract with SEBAC, but the agreement was modified in 2009, 2011, and 2017. The most recent agreement extended the contract for 10 years through June 30, 2027.
Citation
Connecticut School Finance Project. (2018). Connecticut's Other Post-employment Benefits (OPEBs). New Haven, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://schoolstatefinance.org/resource-assets/CTs-Other-Post-employment-Benefits.pdf.