I guess there could always be a sequel to the saga. . . The Philadelphia Inquirer has this article–“EEOC says health benefits can be cut“–which alludes to the fact that there could be even more legal battles ahead for companies as they grapple with the retiree health benefit challenge:

Advocates for seniors said yesterday that more than 12 million retirees age 65 and older who have employer-sponsored health coverage could see those benefits cut or dropped after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that doing so would not violate federal age-discrimination laws.

Officials at the AARP, the nation’s largest seniors group, said they would work with government agencies and private employers – and in court if necessary – to preserve the benefits despite the EEOC’s finding.

“We think we have a very good legal case, and we think we can win in court. And we’re prepared to take that step if necessary,” said Michael Naylor, AARP’s director of advocacy.