Benefits-PAA
Your Benefits Overview
Portland Public Schools offers a benefits package to all employees who work at least half-time or who have benefits negotiated through one of our collective bargaining agreements. New employees may choose to enroll within 30 days after their date of hire. All other benefit enrollments and changes must be completed either during annual Open Enrollment in May or at the time of any qualifying life event. Below is a brief overview of what we offer:
Medical Insurance: You have your choice of HMO (Anthem Choice Plus Plan) or PPO (Anthem Standard Plans) through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Single and employee plus child(ren) HMO premiums are paid in full by the School District for many full-time employees, while other full-time employees contribute a small fraction of the medical insurance premium. There is also a generous employer contribution towards coverage for those employees who work less than full time. Coverage for other family members is available and is made affordable through cost sharing.
Vision Insurance: This is included at no additional cost in all of our medical insurance plans.
Dental Insurance: Single coverage is usually paid in full by the School District for full-time employees. There is also a generous employer contribution towards coverage for those employees who work less than full time. Coverage for other family members is available and is made affordable through cost sharing. Dental insurance coverage is provided through Northeast Delta Dental.
Retirement Plans: Pension plans are offered through the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for employees who work at least 21 hours per week. Non-Represented employees who work at least 21 hours per week may be eligible to enroll in an alternative 401(a) Plan, offered through Mission Square (formerly ICMA). All part-time employees who work less than 21 hours per week, or who are temporary or seasonal employees, will be enrolled in a Mission Square 457-PTS Plan.
Portland Public Schools also offers voluntary Mission Square 457 and Roth IRA options. Additionally, employees may enroll in a voluntary 403(b) Plan with one of our participating vendors, all of which are administered by ADMIN Partners.
Group Life Insurance: This is an elective insurance option. Coverage is provided through either MainePERS or MSMA/Kelly Benefits.
Short Term Disability: This is an elective insurance option for employees in the PEA and Educational Technicians bargaining groups. Enrollment and coverage is provided directly through Horace Mann Insurance.
Long Term Disability: BASE and Non-Represented employee benefit packages include this employer-paid insurance with MSMA/Kelly Benefits. PEA and PAA groups can enroll for coverage through Horace Mann Insurance as a payroll deduction.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Enrollees may make pre-tax contributions to be spent on their health/dental care and/or dependent care needs. FSA plans are administered by MSMA.
Employee Assistance Program: Three* free counseling sessions per issue, per year for employees and members of their household. Counselors are provided through Anthem. Anthem enrollment is not required.
Leaves of Absence: In addition to the paid and unpaid leaves of absence that are described in our four collective bargaining agreements, all employees become eligible for leave that is protected under the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) after 12 months of employment.
MAKING A CHANGE TO YOUR BENEFITS
Please print the enrollment/ change form, complete and send to benefits@portlandschools.org.
Once your forms are received, a confirmation email will be sent to you. Forms are not considered accepted until/ unless you receive this confirmation email.
You can enroll in benefits within 30 days of your hire date or at our annual Open Enrollment in May.
**Anthem and Delta Form Changes will require a new Benefits Election Form (BEF)to be signed, authorizing and acknowledging the biweekly deduction stated. This will be emailed to you once your enrollment forms are received. Confirmation emails will be sent once the BEF has been received and approved within the appropriate time frame.
Your Medical Benefits
Eligibility
All employees who work at least .50 FTE per week are eligible for coverage the first of the month after their date of hire. Open Enrollment changes and enrollments are effective 7/1/23.
Please review the EAP tab. This free benefit is open to ALL employees and those in their household regardless of benefit eligibility. Your benefit includes 3 visits per year. No enrollment needed.
Benefit Details
MAKING A CHANGE TO YOUR BENEFITS
Please print the enrollment/ change form, complete and send to benefits@portlandschools.org.
Once your forms are received, a confirmation email will be sent to you. Forms are not considered accepted until/ unless you receive this confirmation email.
**Anthem and Delta Form Changes will require a new Benefits Election Form (BEF)to be signed, authorizing and acknowledging the biweekly deduction stated. This will be emailed to you once your enrollment forms are received. Confirmation emails will be sent once the BEF has been received and approved within the appropriate time frame.
Contributions
Helpful Resources
Carrier Service Contact
MEA Benefits Trust
https://meabt.org/
(207) 622-4418
Anthem Blue Cross
https://www.anthem.com/
1-800-331-1476
- Contact Anthem for questions regarding claim and plan details
- Contact HR for eligibility, qualifying life events, replacement cards and Name/ Address changes
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your Dental Benefits
Eligibility:
All employees who work at least .50 FTE per week are eligible for coverage the first of the month after their date of hire. Open Enrollment changes and enrollments are effective 7/1/22.
Benefit Details
MAKING A CHANGE TO YOUR BENEFITS
Please print the enrollment/ change form, complete and send to benefits@portlandschools.org.
Once your forms are received, a confirmation email will be sent to you. Forms are not considered accepted until/ unless you receive this confirmation email.
**Anthem and Delta Form Changes will require a new Benefits Election Form (BEF)to be signed, authorizing and acknowledging the biweekly deduction stated. This will be emailed to you once your enrollment forms are received. Confirmation emails will be sent once the BEF has been received and approved within the appropriate time frame.
Benefit Forms
Contributions
Helpful Resources
Carrier Service Contact
Northeast Delta Dental
1-800-832-5700
www.nedelta.com
- Contact Delta Dental for questions regarding claim and plan details
- Contact HR for eligibility, qualifying life events, replacement cards and Name/ Address changes
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your MSMA Flexible Spending Account Benefits
When does Open Enrollment close for MSMA Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s)?
- Open enrollment ends on June 11th for FSA enrollments for ALL EMPLOYEES.
What if I do not want a Medical FSA for 2023-2024, but want to roll over funds left over from 2023-2024?
- You would need to fill out an enrollment form for 23-24. Within the form is an option to roll over the funds without setting up further deductions.
The IRS has announced that the 2023 salary reduction limit for Medical FSAs is $3,050. For 2023, the annual maximum for Dependent Care FSAs is $5,000.
Eligibility:
All employees who work at least .50 FTE per week are eligible for coverage the first of the month after their date of hire. Open Enrollment changes and enrollments are effective 7/1/23.
Benefit Details
Benefit Forms
Helpful Resources
MSMA
www.msmaweb.com
1-207-622-3473
Click here to log in to MSMA
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your MainePERS Voluntary Life Benefits
Contribution Schedule
100% Employee Paid
Helpful Resources
Contact Information
Maine Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
Contact MainePERS
- New Hires may elect Life insurance in the 1st 31 days of employment with no evidence of insurability.
- Applications to enroll or make changes in GLI at any other time will require Evidence of Insurability. MainePERS will determine acceptance.
- For enrollment forms and instructions, contact Dee at dudled@portlandschools.org
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your MSMA Voluntary Life Benefits
Helpful Resources
The Hartford
1-800-549-6514
www.thehartford.com
Wendy Douglas
Client Services Manger
(207)626-5444
wdouglas@msmaweb.com
- New Hires may elect Life insurance in the 1st 31 days of employment with no evidence of insurability.
- Applications to enroll or make changes in GLI at any other time will require Evidence of Insurability. The Hartford will determine acceptance.
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your Retirement Benefits
Helpful Resources
Contact MainePERS
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your EAP Benefits
Helpful Resources
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118
Your Additional Benefits
Sick Bank
Sick Bank Enrollment and instructions:
Can I enroll in a Sick Bank?
- Eligible PAA employees may enroll in a Sick Bank at initial onboarding or during our Annual Open Enrollment Period. You must fill out an enrollment form and submit it to Human Resources. Your current enrollment election will automatically carry into each new school year unless updated at an open enrollment period.
Helpful Resources
Human Resources Generalist/ Benefits Administrator
Dee Dudley
dudled@portlandschools.org
207-874-8118