Before this January, Dighton retirees, were paying 50% of the insurance premium, while employees contributed 40%. Since then, they have been paying the same 40% as employees.
This comes as a result of some very hard work by many, including Association members. Nancy Goulart is one of those members.

“I understand how vital it is to provide affordable health insurance,” comments Goulart, who is retired from UMass and currently serves on the Dighton Finance Committee. “As a state retiree, I receive my coverage from the GIC (Group Insurance Commission), but that certainly doesn’t make me complacent about the situation for my fellow retirees from our town.
“I felt, as did others, that something more had to be done for Dighton’s retirees, and so we proposed a greater percentage from the town.” Originally proponents for a change were calling for an increase in the town’s contribution from 50% to 70%.

However, since Dighton pays 60% for employees, it was determined that 70% might be a tough sell, particularly at the November town meeting. Therefore, a compromise of sorts was reached, and the push was made for a 60/40 split, beginning this January, which was accepted at the meeting.

“In hindsight, the decision to go for increasing the town’s share to 60%, and not 70%, was critical to the proposal’s success,” reports Goulart. “Without it, we may have walked away from the town meeting with nothing.”

“Nancy and the others should be applauded for a job well done,” states Association Insurance Coordinator Cheryl Stillman. “In real premium dollars, that represents a 20% savings for Dighton retirees.