Greece eliminates ‘excessive’ retirement benefits

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Management personnel in Greece no longer will be paid for unlimited banked sick days upon retirement after the town board approved policy changes sought by new Supervisor Jeff McCann.

McCann, who took office on Jan. 1, said the previous sick-days policy — enacted in 2022 — cost taxpayers nearly a quarter of a million dollars last year alone when three management-level employees retired.

Being paid for unlimited banked sick days was a benefit not generally available to other town employees or in any other town in Monroe County.

The board also amended town policy regarding health insurance benefits for management-level retirees. A 2022 policy change forced the town to pay the full cost of premiums. Now, managers must pay during retirement the same premium contribution they paid when actively employed, consistent with policy for other town employees.

Together the policy changes will save taxpayers around $100,000 a year, the town said. McCann’s office said the vote eliminates “excessive” benefits that were exclusive to managers.

“This is an important first step in restoring transparency, accountability and responsible fiscal management to the town of Greece,” McCann said in a news release. “It will not be the last.”

The four town councilmembers — David DiPonzio (first ward), Spencer Bernard (second ward), Amorette Miller (third ward) and Rick Antelli Jr. (fourth ward) — all voted in favor of the changes.

The changes only impact future retirees. When the policy was changed in 2022, sick-pay cash outs and fully paid health insurance premiums became vested benefits, ensuring they could not be taken away once applied:

“Effective for retirements Jan. 1, 2022 and after, this is a vested benefit. Therefore, once an employee retires with this benefit, it cannot be eliminated by the town for the retiree, spouse or applicable dependents.”

The new policy states: “… health insurance benefits are not vested and the town retains the right to change health insurance plans offered to town retirees, including but not limited to plan design, benefits and contribution rates, and may require retirees to complete enrollment forms and other necessary documentation to facilitate such changes.”

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