Opinion Number

Dear Mr. Clouatre:

You have asked our opinion whether the school board may pay for all the back "Medicare" contributions of employees hired prior to 1986 who arenot currently covered by "Medicare" but who, under federal law, can voteto have coverage and to have it for five years retroactively from thetime of coverage. This payment would be a one-time payment only for theperiod of retroactivity for these particular employees alone;subsequently, the premium payments would be as for all employees —that is, contributions by both the school board as employer and theemployees in proportionate shares…