Statement from RPEA Following Decision to Strike Down NYC’s Plan to Pull a Bait-And-Switch on Retirees

Retired Public Employees Association Executive Director Edward Farrell said, “The judge’s ruling to halt a bait-and-switch, initially proposed by Mayor de Blasio and later endorsed by Mayor Adams, is proof that the proposal was unjust from the start. It is disingenuous for the Mayor to break promises and betray the very people who dedicated their lives to keeping our communities healthy, educated, clean, and safe.”

“The judge’s ruling that the City cannot charge people to stay in the old program, substantiates what retirees have been saying all along. Public employees work their entire careers with the promise and expectation that when they retire, their existing benefits will be preserved. Health benefits should not be diminished for those who have already retired, are on fixed incomes, and were promised the care they currently receive in retirement. RPEA is proud to have supported this court case.”

The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) represents the interests of nearly 500,000 retirees, and their spouses and beneficiaries, from New York state and local governments, school districts, and public authorities. Learn more at: www.rpea.org.

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