Tonawanda Chiefs Secure Lifetime Healthcare Benefits
TL/DR –
Tonawanda’s police chief and public works superintendent will receive fully paid health insurance for life upon retirement, under a new agreement with the city. They were concerned they would lose this benefit if they stayed past 2023, leading them to request for this coverage to be formalised. The department heads will contribute up to $1,000 annually towards their health insurance costs for as long as they remain in office, and the arrangement won’t cost the city any additional money as this was a pre-existing benefit.
Tonawanda Department Heads Secure Lifetime Health Insurance
The Police Chief and Public Works Superintendent of Tonawanda have been guaranteed lifetime, fully paid health insurance upon retirement, thanks to a new agreement with the city. The city officials hoped to secure this benefit due to fears of losing it if they stayed past 2023.
As per the agreement ratified by the Tonawanda Common Council, Police Chief Robert Clontz and Public Works Superintendent Joseph Warthling Jr. will contribute annually up to $1,000 towards their health insurance costs, until they remain in office. Tonawanda officials believe that this agreement will motivate both men to prolong their tenure, thus extending their expertise to the city’s residents.
Mayor John White is very satisfied with the expertise of both men and is not ready for their retirements yet. White quoted, “They know what they’re doing. And I’m not ready to have them leave yet. And they’re not ready to retire. So whether they stay a month, five months, or 10 years, it’s worth it for me.”
About the Health Insurance Benefit
All Tonawanda city employees hired before 2004 are eligible for fully paid health insurance for life upon retirement. This benefit applies even to employees who move from union to nonunion, managerial positions. Both Clontz and Warthling, who were eligible for retirement last year, were worried that if they postponed their retirement into 2024, the city could change its policy and revoke their health benefits.
City Agreement Ensures Continuity
The agreement approved by the Common Council ensures the city’s department heads their benefits without costing the city any additional money. If the city had decided to revoke the benefit, it could have led to a lawsuit. This agreement has therefore provided both parties some comfort and assurance.
Third Ward Council Member Sean M. Rautenstrauch agrees with the decision, saying, “In all fairness, I felt that they deserve to continue on with those benefits that they were promised.”
Clontz and Warthling will now contribute up to $1,000 annually to their health insurance as long as they continue employment with the city. This agreement also enables Warthling, who is closer to retirement, to train his potential successor.
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