Connecticut Reviews Retiree WC Benefits

• The Connecticut House Judiciary Committee is reviewing legislation prohibiting retirees from seeking workers’ compensation benefits for post-retirement injuries.
• The March 3 public hearing is on HB 6969, drafted in a response to recent Connecticut Supreme Court decisions which upheld the payment of benefits to individuals who retired voluntarily but later claimed total incapacity due to workplace injuries.
• The court acknowledged that its decisions might increase costs for employers and insurers, but stated that any changes to this policy would need to come from the legislature.
• The bill amends current state law, determining that “any employee who has elected to retire from the workforce and whose incapacity occurs after such retirement shall not be eligible to receive compensation.”
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Ohio BWC Approves 6% Rate Cut for Private Employers

• Private employers in Ohio got a 6% rate reduction in workers’ compensation premiums, taking effect on July 1.
• The move is estimated to result in $60 million in savings over their 2024 premiums.
• The board of directors of the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation last week approved the reduction. The board previously granted a 7% rate cut for private employers last year, and in 16 of the last 17 years.
• The 6% rate cut represents a statewide average. The actual premium change for an individual employer will differ based on multiple factors, including employer type or classification, payroll levels, recent claims history, and their participation in various BWC programs.
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