Aetna expects up to $65 million charge for layoffs and consolidations in the 4th quarter

Aetna expects up to $65 million charge in 4Q

NEW YORK — Health insurer Aetna Inc. said Wednesday it expects a fourth-quarter charge of up to $65 million to cover costs for a previously announced series of layoffs and office consolidations.

In November, the company announced plans to cut 625 jobs, or nearly 2 percent of its staff. It also said it would make a similar number of cuts by the end of 2010.

Aetna, based in Hartford, Conn., expects to employ about 34,300 employees when the layoffs are complete in the first quarter of 2010.