The number of large companies offering health benefits to early retirees–those who quit before becoming Medicare-eligible at age 65–has been falling. According to Mercer, the human resources consulting company, the percentage of large companies offering health benefits to early retirees fell from 46 percent in 1993 to 29 percent in 2001—and then leveled off through 2005. But the numbers are a bit deceiving, according to Derek Guyton, a worldwide partner at Mercer. He points out that some industries have cut benefits more agressively than others. “The companies that were going to drop benefits really did it in the 1990s. What you’re left with are employers that are committed to having a benefit, mainly because the benefits are standard in their industry.”The biggest declines have occurred in manufacturing, retail and–are you ready?–healthcare. The accompanying chart from Mercer shows the industry-by-industry breakdown.

Tags | early retirement, health care, health insurance