Facing the complete elimination of retirement benefits by many organizations due to increasing health care costs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has enacted a new rule that allows employers to reduce or eliminate retirement benefits for those retired employees who are eligible for Medicare. Littler attorney Steve Friedman explains the ramifications of such a rule. "The EEOC rule allows employers to save money on retirees with Medicare benefits, and may encourage some employers to preserve programs for younger retirees in the face of ever-increasing health care costs," said Friedman.