Reactions vary on changes to retiree health benefits rule

Retiree advocates gave a mixed reaction to a new regulation allowing employers to provide more limited healthcare benefits for retirees who are 65 and older. The regulation from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission makes clear that employers can spend more on retirees under 65 than those over 65 without breaking age discrimination laws, so they can cut or reduce benefits for retirees when they become eligible for Medicare.