Deere Retirees File Class Action Lawsuit Over Benefits Plan

Leaders of the Flex Retiree Organization (FRO) said that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of all “Flex Retirees” against Deere & CO and its various benefit plans, the Quad-City Times (Iowa) reported. The affected Deere retirees are suing the company in hopes of restoring their original benefits.

The suit includes former salaried and non-union wage Deere employees who retired on or after July 1, 1993 and were eligible to receive medical and health benefits. Also included are the retirees’ eligible spouses and dependents. Among the changes, the suit alleges are: significantly higher deductibles for both in- and out-of-network benefits as well as a significant increase in the maximum out-of-pocket expenses and elimination of any maximum on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses.

Deere first announced this new health plan in September 2007, indicating that it would allow retirees to be more involved in their health care decisions. Deere also said the new plan was designed to leverage changes made in the federal laws.

Deere spokesman Ken Golden said, “Deere does plan to vigorously defend its actions in court. The innovative health care program was reviewed carefully before Deere introduced it and we are confident that the changes are appropriate and beneficial.”