Lifetime Insurance Ending For Cookeville City Employees

The Cookeville City Council has voted to eliminate lifetime participation for city retirees in its employee health insurance program once they reach the age of Medicare eligibility.

Human Resource Director Gail Fowler said the change will apply to employees hired after July 1st and won’t affect current employees or retirees currently on the city health insurance plan.

“It’s going to be a long time before we realize some significant change from this, but we think it’s a good time to make the change,” Fowler said.

Fowler said the city has a $14 million liability for the 425 employees plus 25 retirees on the city’s health insurance plan. Current retirees on the city’s health insurance cost over $400,000 per year in what the city pays for premiums.