The county announced that it would take away the money it had mistakenly contributed to retiree insurance premiums over a seven-year period.
Mecklenburg County, N.C. — Mecklenburg County retirees are once again being affected by insurance changes.
In 2023, the county discovered a system error that allowed retired employees with dependents to receive higher contributions than required. Leaders planned to take it away, but retirees fought back and won last fall.
However, the county hired an independent attorney to investigate the matter and analyze the insurance policy. The findings, released in September, showed that the county had been miscalculating contributions since the system was transferred in 2017.
County leaders voted 6-3 to eliminate the additional contributions after proving that the county’s contributions were not consistent with the county’s insurance plan for dependents of retirees. The change will affect 171 retirees who retired in 2017 or later and have dependents on their plans.
“Honestly, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Stephanie Trull told WCNC Charlotte.
Trull is a dependent on her husband’s insurance plan. He retired as a captain after 30 years with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re on a fixed income,” Trull explained. She worries she won’t be able to afford new premiums because the county will no longer contribute to her dependents’ premiums.
County insurance policies only contribute to retirees’ premiums if they have worked in the county for 10 years or more. It says dependents can enroll in the retiree’s plan, but are solely responsible for the premiums.
“At some point, we have to get the trains back on the tracks,” Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman George Dunlap said at a September meeting.
For some families, premiums could increase by as much as $400 per month.
To soften the blow, the county will phase out the dependent exemption each year through 2029.
The Trulls were involved in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago, and Stephanie is still undergoing surgery for the accident.
“That’s why our insurance is money to us,” Trull explained, fighting back tears. “And I think we’re probably one of the worst off by it.”
She is now scrambling to find better options before opening the door to open enrollment.
Mecklenburg County’s open registration will run from Nov. 4 to Nov. 15, and the new rates will go into effect in January.
