SEATTLE, Washington—
One of the perks of working at Microsoft: Health care costs that were 100% covered by the employer. Until now.Microsoft announced to its employees Friday their "gold-plated" health care coverage would end in 2013, at which point the company would require employees to begin contributing to their own health care plans.
"There will be no charges for the next two years, but in 2013, employees will contribute to their health care," a statement released to the media by Microsoft read Friday.
A person speaking on behalf of the company told FOX40 News the decision to move to a cost-sharing model was based on recent data that showed health care costs rising in the United States by as much as 103%, with a projected rise over the next ten years by 187%.
Microsoft is based in Seattle, Washington. Shares of Microsoft closed down to $24.51 at the end of the trading day Friday.
