WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey.  June 2, 2010: White Plains retirees are fighting back against the city  action last week forcing them to pay 15% of their medical plan  premiums.

The medical premiums for retirees have previously been paid in total by the city. When the city forces retirees to pay 15% of those medical premiums beginning July 1, the measure will reduce their pensions by $1,102 if they have a single plan, and $2,396 if they have a Family Plan.

An article 78 action is being prepared by The Pirro Group on behalf of a new organization, White Plains Retirees Association to challenge the city plan to charge his retired clients for a portion of their medical going forward.

Albert J. Pirro, Jr., the White Plains attorney representing the retirees, said unless the city action is overturned in the courts, he predicted municipalities and counties across the state would imitate the White Plains action to lower their retiree obligations. He said it would have far-reaching implications for pensioners if not stopped.

The city as of yet has not notified retirees of the details of the pending change, though retirees were told last Friday letters were going out that Friday. To date the official announcement has not been received by retirees, to this reporter’s knowledge.

Effective July 1,  A $1,102 payment  is required for city retirees of unions, management and appointed officials, and confidential employees (who started with the city before July1, 1995for a retired person with  Single Person Medical, $2,395 if the retiree is on Family Plan.

Pirro estimated that 659 retirees are affected by the city action.

WPCNR estimated that the city would save over a million dollars a year by the measure which the Council incorporated into the new city budget for 2010-11 on May 24.

According to the city, police and fire, Teamster, and Civil Service Employees Association employees working for the city prior to July 1, 1995 would be affected, even though they may have retired within the last 15 years since that date.

Sources have told WPCNR that there is a memorandum declaring that the city action is illegal and a breach of contract. The sources observe that the city ignored this memorandum,  in pushing forward with the medical benefits payments plan for the retirees.

Pirro said that the Association is seeking as many retirees as possible to join in the class action suit and may contact his offices for information on the pending Article 78 action. He may be reached at

Albert J. Pirro, Jr., Esq.,One North Lexington Avenue White Plains, New York 10601(914) 287-6444.