Before I go on a wild goose chase, does anyone
know if there is a plan that could accomplish
the following:

1. Create individual accounts using pretax
dollars;

2. Allow these dollars to be used to make
self payments to an industry health fund;

3. Allow the dollars to remain in the account
after retirement and be used to pay the
retiree's share of his health premium;

4. Allow a high ceiling on the maximum amount
permitted to accumulate in the plan.

Thanks.

Yes such plans do exist.

Well, what are they called???

What does it matter what "they" or "it" is called? They are called whatever the particular provider decides to call it, whether it be XYZ Company Employee Retirement Health Trust, a VEMA, a REMA or whatever.

Try a simple Google search for "pre-funding retiree health plan" and you will get some idea of the number of various names and code sections that they are done under. Not all will work in all situations or for all types of employers. Some that you will find have already been "disallowed" by the IRS for various reasons so take note of the 401(h) and Cafeteria Plan Hybrids.

Here is a brief overview that you will find in th search:
www.npelra.org/2002conference/retireehealth.ppt

You might also want to look at the VEBA Forum on BenefitsLink.

Look up Heath Savings Accounts (HSA) eff 1/1/2004.

HSA is a possibility but only if the HDHP is either available or desired.