Opinion ID: 1420198
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Legitimate Governmental Purpose: Preventing a Duplication of Benefits

Text: We have upheld several workers' compensation offset provisions based upon a duplication of benefits rationale. See Pace, 938 P.2d at 508-09, (Colo.1997) (upholding offset of disability benefits against unemployment insurance benefits); L.E.L. Constr. v. Goode, 867 P.2d 875, 879 (Colo. 1994) (holding that federal social security mother's insurance benefits are periodic death benefits that can be deducted from state workers' compensation death benefits); Myers v. State, 162 Colo. 435, 438, 428 P.2d 83, 85 (1967) (upholding disability offset against disability annuity). The United States Congress also employs offset provisions. See, e.g., Richardson v. Belcher, 404 U.S. 78, 92 S.Ct. 254, 30 L.Ed.2d 231 (1971) (upholding federal offset of workers' compensation against social security disability benefits). Petitioners, nevertheless, contend that social security retirement benefits, because they constitute an employee entitlement, cannot legitimately be coordinated with PTD benefits under a duplication of benefits rationale. CCIA and SIF argue that social security retirement benefits and PTD payments are part of an overall employee wage loss protection program. Thus, the General Assembly may legitimately require their coordination. We agree with CCIA and SIF. a.