03/13/2026
CWA Local 2108
Understanding Verizon Retiree Healthcare: Why Verizon Is the Party That Must Fix It
Many retirees and active members are rightfully raising concerns about retiree healthcare, and those concerns deserve to be taken seriously.
At the same time, introducing political blame or “globalist” narratives distracts from the only party with the authority and responsibility to fix Verizon retiree healthcare — Verizon itself.
Who controls Verizon retiree healthcare?
Verizon retiree healthcare is governed by collective bargaining agreements between the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Verizon.
That means:
• Verizon sets the financial limits on what it will contribute
• Verizon decides whether those limits are updated
• Verizon can fix the problem
No government program, political party, or outside ideology controls Verizon retiree healthcare. Verizon does.
Why have retiree healthcare costs increased
Retiree healthcare costs increased because Verizon’s contribution limits, established in the 2016 collective bargaining agreement, did not keep pace with rising healthcare costs.
When healthcare expenses exceeded those fixed limits, the additional cost shifted to retirees. This outcome was foreseeable — and it was the result of Verizon’s refusal to modernize those limits, not federal policy.
Where early bargaining stalled
Early bargaining involved multiple unresolved issues, and retiree healthcare was one of them.
Specifically, Verizon refused to meaningfully address the outdated limits on retiree healthcare contributions, despite clear evidence of the financial harm those limits are now causing retirees.
It was not the only issue at the table — but it was a significant one, and it remains unresolved because Verizon has not agreed to fix it.
Why political blame hurts the fight
Blaming “globalists,” government programs, or unrelated social policies does not pressure Verizon.
It shifts attention away from:
• The company that controls retiree healthcare
• The party that set the limits
• The party that must change them
When focus moves away from Verizon, accountability is lost.
Retirees are right — and focus matters
Retirees are right to demand change.
Their frustration is valid.
Their voices belong in this fight.
But progress only happens when pressure is directed where it belongs — at Verizon.
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Bottom line
• Verizon retiree healthcare is a Verizon responsibility
• The 2016 agreement created contribution limits that are now outdated
• Retiree healthcare was one of several issues that stalled early bargaining
• Political blame weakens leverage; focus on Verizon strengthens it
