MEMORANDUM

 

DATE:  June 24, 2002

TO:  David Peters, Chair, Flexible Compensation Benefits Committee

FROM:  Harry Birdwell

SUBJECT:  Retiree Life Insurance Recommendation

Thank you for the recommendation from the Flexible Compensation Benefits Committee of May 24, 2002, regarding an increase in life insurance (to $10,000) for employees who retire after July 1, 2002.

The insurance program is an OSU/ A&M plan that covers all employees and retirees within the OSU/A&M system. The recommendation has been discussed with the OSU/A&M fiscal officers of the institutions that would be affected by the change. The decision was made to table any recommendations at this time and review again in the fall. While several fiscal officers were supportive of the recommendation, the status of the budget for fiscal year 2003 is still uncertain. Several thought that any increase in benefits during a time of decreasing budgets would be misleading to employees and the public. In addition, the fiscal officers asked for additional cost information. This included the cost of an increase to $6000 and $8000 in addition to the previous estimate for $10,000 life insurance and cost for individual institutions to make a change versus the entire system.

            I anticipate discussion will continue this fall. If you have any questions, please let me know.

HB:gv

cc:  Anne Matoy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Office of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         VICE PRESIDENT FOR BUSINESS EXTERNAL RELATIONS
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