The University of Idaho Argonaut

Retired University of Idaho staff members Jeff Harkins and Earl Bennett came before the State Board of Education on Thursday hoping to gain what they said is “much needed support.”
“I’ve come to ask one simple question: Is the University of Idaho honoring its commitment to retirees?” Bennett said.

Bennett is one of 120 people who signed contracts for an early retirement incentive program, which he claims the university is no longer acknowledging. As a result the university is now involved in litigation.
Bennett retired in 2003 after a 33-year career and said under the new plan he would receive less coverage.

“The university made a commitment and we expect them to live up to it,” he said. “These changes may save the University of Idaho an estimated $13 million in premiums but it will cost retirees $10 million in benefits.”
The UI Retiree Task Force recommended the changes and although Harkin said he has no reason to believe the data the team released isn’t honest, he questions the motivation behind their creation.

“There are 19 people on the team, of those 19 only eight are faculty and retirees, the rest are administrators,” he said. “You’re gonna get the outcome you want when you’ve loaded the deck.”
Harkin came to UI in 1983 as an accounting teacher. For eight years he served as the department head and although he understands the fiscal reasoning behind the proposal he said, “This is not the way to go about it.”

The changes to  the program will not exclusively affect those who are already retired, the Task Force recommended creating a tiered eligibility program which requires employees, except those close to meeting current eligibility requirements of the program to work about 5-years longer to qualify for benefits.
It also eliminates Retiree Spouse Life Insurance and reduces Retiree Life Insurance for all current and future retirees to $10,000 without age reduction. And eliminates criteria which ends eligibility for a surviving spouse if remarried.

“We are not unsympathetic to the staggering increase in health insurance. However, the University of Idaho retirees have already paid for their part of the health insurance,” Harkin said.
It is the position of the university not to comment at this time and the State Board decided not to allow comment or question about the presentation due to, “possible ramifications.”
Harkin, Bennett and the group they represent have filled a claim with the Secretary of State Ben Ysursa and wanted a presentation to the Board.

“How can we refuse to honor promises to employees at pivotal moments, it’s a reflection of the values of our society,” Harkin said. “Stop letting them usurp your authority, it’s time to hold them accountable.”
The adopted changes will be in effect starting July 1.