Insurance & Benefits

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the MEA Anthem health insurance plan is available below. The health insurance includes vision coverage for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. School year employees pay premiums at an accelerated rate so benefits are paid in full during the summer break. Please note these offerings will be prorated for those employees working a less than full time schedule.

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Booklet

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Rates

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the Maine School Management Association dental insurance plan is available below. The dental insurance offers $1,250 per person for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents each calendar year. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. School year employees pay premiums at an accelerated rate so benefits are paid in full during the summer break.

MSMA Plan B Dental Insurance Booklet

MSMA Plan B Dental Insurance Rates

The South Portland School Department maintains a cafeteria plan that allows employees electing certain benefits (such as the health and dental insurances) to have the premiums (costs) of those insurances removed from their pay check pre-tax.

New hires meeting the hours requirement of the Participating Local District (PLD) plan of the City of South Portland will be given a ONE TIME opportunity to join the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MEPERS). Once an employee makes his/her decision to join or not join the plan as an employee of the City of South Portland, that decision will remain in effect FOREVER. (Even if leaving employment and being rehired at a later date). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. More information can be found on the MEPERS website.

The City of South Portland maintains a section 218 agreement, which means members pay into ME PERS and social security. Social security benefits will not be affected by participating in the ME PERS PLD plan through South Portland Schools. The vesting period for this plan is 5 years.

If choosing not to participate in the defined benefit plan through ME PERS, employees have the option to contribute to the defined contribution plan, 457B, at any time. The South Portland School Department offers an up to 8% match on employee contributions to the 457B. The vesting period is three years. Employees choosing this option will meet with a MetLife representative to create an account and choose investments.

As an incentive to save for retirement, the South Portland School Department offers employer sponsored LTD insurance to all participants in the ME PERS defined benefit plan and 457B defined contribution plan. Participants in the defined benefit plan are enrolled in LTD through Maine School Management Association with a 90 day waiting period. Participants in the 457B are enrolled in LTD through UNUM with a 180 day waiting period. If not participating in a retirement option, no LTD insurance will be offered.

Full-time, permanent clerk and office managers are offered an employer paid $10,000 life insurance policy. Employees may choose a flat $10,000 policy from Maine School Management Association at no cost, or choose a policy through ME PERS. ME PERS' life insurance policy is elected in increments of salary (i.e. if you expect to earn $30,000 a year, you must elect a minimum of $30,000 in life insurance coverage). The benefit of paying a portion of the premium for a ME PERS policy is that it offers a free conversion to a basic, whole policy at retirement after 10 years of service. More information is available on their website.

Life Insurance Premiums 

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement provides for enrollment in a health and/or dependent care flexible spending account(s). The accounts are funded with pre-tax employee contributions and the monthly participant fee is employer funded. A brochure with information about the benefit is below.

MSMA FSA Brochure

All employees have the opportunity to open a 100% employee funded 403B retirement account. The 403B offers employees a supplemental retirement vehicle with pre-tax contributions.

Approved 403B Vendors

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes paid holidays, vacation days, sick days, family sick days, personal days, bereavement leave, professional development days, and paid jury duty. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

As an employee of the South Portland School Department (a department of the city of South Portland), employees are afforded use of community spaces for free or reduced prices such as the libraries, municipal golf course, and community center. Just show your ID badge!

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and post-secondary coursework.  For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the MEA Anthem health insurance plan is available below. The health insurance includes vision coverage for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. School year employees pay premiums at an accelerated rate so benefits are paid in full during the summer break. Please note these offerings will be prorated for those employees working a less than full time schedule.

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Booklet

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Rates

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the Maine School Management Association dental insurance plan is available below. The dental insurance offers a maximum payout towards dental care per person for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents each calendar year. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. 

MSMA Plan B Dental Insurance Booklet

MSMA Plan B Dental Insurance Rates

The South Portland School Department maintains a cafeteria plan that allows employees electing certain benefits (such as the health and dental insurances) to have the premiums (costs) of those insurances removed from their pay check pre-tax.

Educational Technicians II/III are required by state law to participate in the defined benefit teacher plan through Maine State Retirement (ME PERS). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. The vesting period is 5 years. More information can be found on the MEPERS website.

Ed Techs II/III do not make contributions towards social security and therefore do not earn credits towards social security retirement based on their earnings. Additionally, a benefit earned through ME PERS could reduce a social security benefit. More information can be found here.

Educational Technicians are offered an employer paid $10,000 life insurance policy. Employees may choose a flat $10,000 policy from Maine School Management Association at no cost, or choose a policy through ME PERS. ME PERS' life insurance policy is elected in increments of salary (i.e. if you expect to earn $30,000 a year, you must elect a minimum of $30,000 in life insurance coverage). The benefit of paying a portion of the premium for a ME PERS policy is that it offers a free conversion to a basic, whole policy at retirement after 10 years of service. More information is available on their website. Additionally, it should be noted the ME PERS life insurance policy is the only one that will carry over into a teaching position.

Life Insurance Premiums

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement provides for enrollment in medical and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts. The accounts are funded with pre-tax employee contributions and the monthly participant fee is employer funded. A brochure about the benefit is below.  *Please note contributions are capped at $1,000 per account*

MSMA FSA Brochure

All employees have the opportunity to open a 100% employee funded 403B retirement account. The 403B offers employees a supplemental retirement vehicle with pre-tax contributions.

Approved 403B Vendors

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes paid holidays, vacation days, sick days, family sick days, personal days, bereavement leave, professional development days, and paid jury duty. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

As an employee of the South Portland School Department (a department of the city of South Portland), employees are afforded use of community spaces for free or reduced prices such as the libraries, municipal golf course, and community center. Just show your ID badge!

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and post-secondary coursework.  For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the MEA Anthem health insurance plan is available below. The health insurance includes vision coverage for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. School year employees pay premiums at an accelerated rate so benefits are paid in full during the summer break. Please note these offerings will be prorated for those employees working a less than full time schedule.

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Booklet

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Rates

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the Maine School Management Association dental insurance plan is available below. The dental insurance offers $1,250 per person for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents each calendar year. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. School year employees pay premiums at an accelerated rate so benefits are paid in full during the summer break.

MSMA Plan B Dental Insurance Booklet

MSMA Plan B Dental Insurance Rates

The South Portland School Department maintains a cafeteria plan that allows employees electing certain benefits (such as the health and dental insurances) to have the premiums (costs) of those insurances removed from their pay check pre-tax.

New hires meeting the hours requirement of the Participating Local District (PLD) plan of the City of South Portland will be given a ONE TIME opportunity to join the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MEPERS). Once an employee makes his/her decision to join or not join the plan as an employee of the City of South Portland, that decision will remain in effect FOREVER. (Even if leaving employment and being rehired at a later date). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. More information can be found on the MEPERS website.

The City of South Portland maintains a section 218 agreement, which means members pay into ME PERS and social security. Social security benefits will not be affected by participating in the ME PERS PLD plan through South Portland Schools.

If choosing not to participate in the defined benefit plan through ME PERS, employees have the option to contribute to the defined contribution plan, 457B, at any time. The South Portland School Department offers an up to 8% match on employee contributions to the 457B. The vesting period is three years. Employees choosing this option will meet with a MetLife representative to create an account and choose investments.

As an incentive to save for retirement, the South Portland School Department offers employer sponsored LTD insurance to all participants in the ME PERS defined benefit plan and 457B defined contribution plan. Participants in the defined benefit plan are enrolled in LTD through Maine School Management Association with a 90 day waiting period. Participants in the 457B are enrolled in LTD through UNUM with a 180 day waiting period. If not participating in a retirement option, no LTD insurance will be offered.

SPSEA members are offered life insurance through ME PERS at their own cost. ME PERS' life insurance policy is elected in increments of salary (i.e. if you expect to earn $30,000 a year, you must elect a minimum of $30,000 in life insurance coverage). A ME PERS policy offers free conversion to a basic, whole policy at retirement and after 10 years of service. More information is available on their website.

Life Insurance Premiums

All employees have the opportunity to open a 100% employee funded 403B retirement account. The 403B offers employees a supplemental retirement vehicle with pre-tax contributions.

Approved 403B Vendors

The SPSEA collective bargaining agreement includes paid holidays, vacation days, sick days, family sick days, personal days, bereavement leave, professional development days, and paid jury duty. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

As an employee of the South Portland School Department (a department of the city of South Portland), employees are afforded use of community spaces for free or reduced prices such as the libraries, municipal golf course, and community center. Just show your ID badge!

The SPSEA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for out-of-district training, post-secondary and vocational courses, annual DOT physicals for job related CDL holders, uniforms, work related footwear, and job related professional licenses. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the MEA Anthem health insurance plan is available below. The health insurance includes vision coverage for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents. Please note these offerings will be prorated for those employees working a less than full time schedule.

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Booklet

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Rates

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the Delta Dental insurance plan is available below. The dental insurance offers $1,000 per person for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents each calendar year. Participants may increase their benefit up to $2,000 per calendar year by participating in Delta Dental's Double Up Max program. Details are included with the booklet. The rate sheet is also included below.

Delta Dental Insurance Booklet

Delta Dental Insurance Rates

The South Portland School Department maintains a cafeteria plan that allows employees electing certain benefits (such as the health and dental insurances) to have the premiums (costs) of those insurances removed from their pay check pre-tax.

Employees falling under the teacher bargaining unit are required by state law to participate in the defined benefit teacher plan through Maine State Retirement (ME PERS). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. The vesting period is 5 years. More information can be found on the MEPERS website.

Participants in the teacher plan do not make contributions towards social security and therefore do not earn credits towards social security retirement based on their earnings. Additionally, a benefit earned through ME PERS could reduce a social security benefit. More information can be found here.

Full-time, permanent SPTA members are offered an employer paid $16,000 life insurance policy. Employees must choose a policy through ME PERS to get this benefit. ME PERS' life insurance policy is elected in increments of salary (i.e. if you expect to earn $30,000 a year, you must elect a minimum of $30,000 in life insurance coverage). You would be expected to pay the premium for any coverage above $16,000.  This policy offers a free conversion to a basic, whole policy at retirement after 10 years of service. More information is available on their website.

Life Insurance Premiums

The SPTA collective bargaining agreement provides for enrollment in a health and/or dependent care flexible spending account(s). The accounts are funded with pre-tax employee contributions and the monthly participant fee is employer funded. A brochure with information about the benefit is below.

MSMA FSA Brochure

All employees have the opportunity to open a 100% employee funded 403B retirement account. The 403B offers employees a supplemental retirement vehicle with pre-tax contributions.

Approved 403B Vendors

The SPTA collective bargaining agreement includes paid sick days, family sick days, personal days, bereavement leave, professional development days, and paid jury duty. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

As an employee of the South Portland School Department (a department of the city of South Portland), employees are afforded use of community spaces for free or reduced prices such as the libraries, municipal golf course, and community center. Just show your ID badge!

The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and post-secondary coursework.  For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the MEA Anthem health insurance plan is available below. The health insurance includes vision coverage for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents. The rate sheet for year-round and school year employees is below. School year employees pay premiums at an accelerated rate so benefits are paid in full during the summer break. Please note these offerings will be prorated for those employees working a less than full time schedule.

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Booklet

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Rates

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the Delta Dental insurance plan is available below. The dental insurance offers $1,000 per person for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents each calendar year. Participants may increase their benefit up to $2,000 per calendar year by participating in Delta Dental's Double Up Max program. Details are included with the booklet. The rate sheet is also included below.

Delta Dental Insurance Booklet

Delta Dental Insurance Rates

The South Portland School Department maintains a cafeteria plan that allows employees electing certain benefits (such as the health and dental insurances) to have the premiums (costs) of those insurances removed from their pay check pre-tax.

Employees falling under the administrator bargaining unit are required by state law to participate in the defined benefit teacher plan through Maine State Retirement (ME PERS). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. The vesting period is 5 years. More information can be found on the MEPERS website.

Participants in the teacher plan do not make contributions towards social security and therefore do not earn credits towards social security retirement based on their earnings. Additionally, a benefit earned through ME PERS could reduce a social security benefit. More information can be found here.

Full-time, permanent SPAA members are offered a life insurance policy through ME PERS at one times their salary (ie the basic coverage) at employer expense. You would be expected to pay the premium for any coverage above the basic policy.  The ME PERS policy offers a free conversion to a basic, whole policy at retirement after 10 years of service. More information is available on their website.

Life Insurance Premiums

The South Portland School Department offers employer sponsored LTD insurance to SPAA members. Maine School Management Association LTD insurance has a 90 day waiting period.

The SPTA collective bargaining agreement provides for enrollment in a health and/or dependent care flexible spending account(s). The accounts are funded with pre-tax employee contributions and the monthly participant fee is employer funded. A brochure with information about the benefit is below.

MSMA FSA Brochure

All employees have the opportunity to open a 100% employee funded 403B retirement account. The 403B offers employees a supplemental retirement vehicle with pre-tax contributions.

Approved 403B Vendors

The SPAA collective bargaining agreement includes paid sick days, family sick days, personal days, bereavement leave, professional development days, and paid jury duty. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

As an employee of the South Portland School Department (a department of the city of South Portland), employees are afforded use of community spaces for free or reduced prices such as the libraries, municipal golf course, and community center. Just show your ID badge!

The SPAA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and graduate level coursework.  For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.

A full booklet regarding the offerings of the MEA Anthem health insurance plan is available below. The health insurance includes vision coverage for the subscriber and any enrolled dependents. There is no rate sheet included for non-bargaining employees as costs are dependent on individual contracts.

MEA Anthem Health Insurance Booklet

Non-bargaining employees have a choice between three dental plans. Booklets regarding the offerings of the Maine School Management Association dental insurance plans is available below. The booklet for the Delta Dental plan is also included. There are no rate sheets included for non-bargaining employees as costs are dependent on individual contracts.

MSMA Dental Insurance Booklet

Delta Dental Insurance Booklet

The South Portland School Department maintains a cafeteria plan that allows employees electing certain benefits (such as the health and dental insurances) to have the premiums (costs) of those insurances removed from their pay check pre-tax.

Non-bargaining employees, depending on position, may have optional participation in Maine State Retirement as a PLD, or they may have mandatory participation in the teacher plan.

If in a position with optional membership, you will be given a ONE TIME opportunity to join the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MEPERS) as a "participating local district" through the City of South Portland. Once an employee makes his/her decision to join or not join the plan, that decision will remain in effect FOREVER. (Even if leaving employment and being rehired at a later date). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. More information can be found on the MEPERS website.The City of South Portland maintains a section 218 agreement, which means members pay into the ME PERS PLD plan and social security. Social security benefits will not be affected by participating in the ME PERS PLD plan through South Portland Schools.

Some non-bargaining employees may be required by state law to participate in the defined benefit teacher plan through Maine State Retirement (ME PERS). MEPERS offers a lifetime retirement benefit and disability retirement benefit. More information can be found on the MEPERS website. Participants in the teacher plan do not make contributions towards social security and therefore do not earn credits towards social security retirement based on their earnings. Additionally, a benefit earned through ME PERS could reduce a social security benefit. More information can be found here.

The vesting period for both plans is 5 years.

If in a position with optional ME PERS membership, and choosing not to participate, employees have the option to contribute to the defined contribution plan, 457B, at any time. The South Portland School Department offers an up to 8% match on employee contributions to the 457B. The vesting period is three years. Employees choosing this option will meet with a MetLife representative to create an account and choose investments.  Non-bargaining employees with mandatory participation under the teacher plan are not eligible for a 457B.

The South Portland School Department offers employer sponsored LTD insurance to all non-bargaining employees participating in either the 457B or Maine State Retirement. 

Most contracts provide for enrollment in a health and/or dependent care flexible spending account(s). The accounts are funded with pre-tax employee contributions and the monthly participant fee is employer funded. A brochure with information about the benefit is below.

MSMA FSA Brochure

Dependent on individual contracts.

All employees have the opportunity to open a 100% employee funded 403B retirement account. The 403B offers employees a supplemental retirement vehicle with pre-tax contributions.

Approved 403B Vendors

Dependent on individual contracts. Generous paid time for sick, vacation and holiday purposes.

As an employee of the South Portland School Department (a department of the city of South Portland), employees are afforded use of community spaces for free or reduced prices such as the libraries, municipal golf course, and community center. Just show your ID badge!

Dependent on individual contracts.