Insurance & Benefits
A competitive benefits package is available to all permanent South Portland School Department employees. Specific offerings are based on your bargaining group and status (ie full or part time). More detailed information is available below.
**** ARE YOU A CURRENT EMPLOYEE LOOKING FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION? ****
I am considering applying for or accepting a position as a:
- Clerk or Office Manager
- Educational Technician II or III
- Custodian, Foreperson, Food Services Worker, Mechanic or Bus Driver
- Teacher, Social Worker, Nurse, or Psychologist
- Administrator
- Non-Bargaining Staff Member
Clerk or Office Manager
The following fringe benefits are available to employees working as a clerk or office manager under the South Portland Educational Support Professionals Association:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Cafeteria Plan
- Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- 457B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Paid Time
- Facilities Use
- Tuition & Professional Development Support
Health Insurance
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.
Dental Insurance
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.
Cafeteria Plan
Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
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.
457B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
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.
Long Term Disability Insurance
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.
Life Insurance
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.
Flexible Spending Accounts
403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Paid Time
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.
Facilities Use
Tuition & Professional Development Support
The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and post-secondary coursework. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.
Educational Technician II or III
The following fringe benefits are available to employees working as a ed tech II/III under the South Portland Educational Support Professionals Association:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Cafeteria Plan
- Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Paid Time
- Facilities Use
- Tuition & Professional Development Support
Health Insurance
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.
Dental Insurance
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.
Cafeteria Plan
Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
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.
Life Insurance
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.
Flexible Spending Account
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*
403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Paid Time
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.
Facilities Use
Tuition & Professional Development Support
The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and post-secondary coursework. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.
Custodian, Foreperson, Food Services Worker, Mechanic or Bus Driver
The following fringe benefits are available to employees working as a custodian, foreperson, food services employee, mechanic, or bus driver under the South Portland Service Employees Association:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Cafeteria Plan
- Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- 457B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Paid Time
- Facilities Use
- Tuition Support & Additional Fringe Benefits
Health Insurance
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.
Dental Insurance
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.
Cafeteria Plan
Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
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.
457B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
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.
Long Term Disability Insurance
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.
Life Insurance
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.
403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Paid Time
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.
Facilities Use
Tuition Support & Additional Fringe Benefits
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.
Teacher, Social Worker, Nurse, or Psychologist
The following fringe benefits are available to employees working as a teacher, social worker, nurse, or psychologist under the South Portland Teachers Association:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Cafeteria Plan
- Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Paid Time
- Facilities Use
- Tuition & Professional Development Support
Health Insurance
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.
Dental Insurance
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.
Cafeteria Plan
Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
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.
Life Insurance
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.
Flexible Spending Account
403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Paid Time
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.
Facilities Use
Tuition & Professional Development Support
The SPESPA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and post-secondary coursework. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.
Administrator
The following fringe benefits are available to administrators (principals, assistant principals) under the South Portland Administrators Association:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Cafeteria Plan
- Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Paid Time
- Facilities Use
- Tuition & Professional Development Support
Health Insurance
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.
Dental Insurance
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.
Cafeteria Plan
Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
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.
Life Insurance
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.
Long Term Disability Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Paid Time
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.
Facilities Use
Tuition & Professional Development Support
The SPAA collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for training and graduate level coursework. For more specific details, please refer to the collective bargaining agreement.
Non-Bargaining Staff Member
The following fringe benefits are available to non-bargaining employees of the South Portland School Department:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Cafeteria Plan
- Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- 457B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Life Insurance
- 403B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
- Paid Time
- Facilities Use
- Tuition Support
Health Insurance
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.
Dental Insurance
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.
Cafeteria Plan
Maine Public Employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
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.
457B Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
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.