Reply #106: This is over the coarse of a lifetime

[pipoman]

not merely working years. It would be hard to dispute the claims above. It would also be hard to dispute that people 35 to 60 who smoke or are obese (I suggest the latter more than the former) cost more than healthy weight non-smokers. Employers are mainly concerned with the here and now, not overall lifetime healthcare costs. They are also concerned with pre-65 year old employees. Post-65ers are eligible for medicare, the cost of a medicare supplement policy (which some provide for 65+ employees) is a fraction of the cost of a 64 yo insurance policy.