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Michigan lawmakers vote to cut retiree benefits

By AP

LANSING, MI –

Michigan lawmakers have voted to eliminate retiree health care coverage for future and some current members of the state Legislature.

The House passed legislation by a 96-11 vote Thursday, sending the measure to Gov. Rick Snyder. The Senate passed the bill earlier this week.

The retiree benefit will be eliminated for lawmakers who have not served at least six years in the Legislature before Jan. 1, 2013.

Most current state senators would remain eligible for the benefit once they retire and reach age 55. Most current members of the Michigan House would be ineligible for coverage because they don't have enough years of service.

Lawmakers have debated the issue for years but didn't agree on a final version of the plan until this week.

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