A new federal report shows employers in Illinois received nearly $41 million last year to help them maintain health care coverage for early retirees. The federal funding comes from a program created by the Affordable Care Act, the national health care law. In Illinois, 337 employers have been accepted into the early retiree program.
It helps pay a portion of health costs for early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses and dependents.
Illinois-based companies getting subsidies through the program include Abbott Laboratories, McDonald’s Corp., Sara Lee Corp. and Deere & Co.
Cities, counties, universities and non-profit groups also are getting help for their early retiree health coverage through the program.
