How well does the employer-based health care system work for early retirees? This project investigated the effectiveness of the nation's health insurance system in providing coverage for early retirees. Many Americans retire from the labor force before reaching Medicare eligibility, yet only one-third of persons retiring from public sector jobs can depend on receiving health insurance through their former employer. During the past decade, the percent of retirees that remain covered has dropped, and that trend is expected to continue. Alternative health insurance options are limited for retirees and their spouses. At a time when health status may be diminishing, the consequences of inadequate health coverage can be devastating. The objective of this research was to increase the knowledge base about this population, so that appropriate public policy might be developed and implemented.