This report assesses how large businesses that provide retiree health benefits to their workers are responding to the new Medicare drug benefit in 2006, their plans for the future, and the way these responses affect retirees. It also looks at the rising costs and changing benefits of retiree health coverage overall in 2005.

 Full Report (.pdf)

      Executive Summary (.pdf)

      Section 1: Retiree Health Coverage (.pdf)

      Section 2: Retiree Health Benefit Design and Prescription Drug Benefits (.pdf)

      Section 3: Retiree Health Costs (.pdf)

      Section 4: Premiums (.pdf)

      Section 5: Changes Made by Large Employers Between 2004 and 2005 (.pdf)

      Section 6: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and Retiree Health (.pdf)

      Appendix: Methods (.pdf)