Hewitt Analysis Shows COBRA Enrollment Rates Remain High Despite Government Subsidy Program Expiration

Under the COBRA law, terminated workers may continue employer-sponsored health coverage by paying 100 percent of the health care premium plus an additional 2 percent to cover administrative costs. This translates to roughly $8,800 a year in COBRA health care costs for the average worker. Enacted in March 2009, the COBRA subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) required eligible employees to pay only 35 percent of the COBRA premium, or about $3,000 a year for the average worker. The subsidy lasts for up to 15 months for workers who were involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008 and May 31, 2010.

About Hewitt Associates

Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) provides leading organizations around the world with expert human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions to help them anticipate and solve their most complex benefits, talent, and related financial challenges. Hewitt works with companies to design, implement, communicate, and administer a wide range of human resources, retirement, investment management, health care, compensation, and talent management strategies. With a history of exceptional client service since 1940, Hewitt has offices in more than 30 countries and employs approximately 23,000 associates who are helping make the world a better place to work. For more information, please visit www.hewitt.com.

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