APS Benefits Page (Finance)

Welcome to the Benefits information page! We are pleased that you are interested in becoming an employee of Atlanta Public Schools. As an employee, your benefits are a very important part of the “employment package” you receive – and may add an additional 40% of your salary to your total compensation from the district.

ELIGIBILITY

All full-time employees working at least 20 hours per week in a benefit eligible position are eligible to enroll in any group benefit plan offered by the Atlanta Public Schools.

GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE (State Health Benefit Plan -SHBP)

The State Health Benefit Plan of Georgia administers the health insurance program for Atlanta Public Schools. There are (3) carriers, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, United HealthCare and Kaiser Permanente. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) under Gold, Silver, and Bronze Plans and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. United HealthCare offers an HMO and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) plan. Kaiser Permanente offers an HMO plan only.

GROUP DENTAL PLAN

The plan is a Dental PPO plan. Employees can visit any licensed dentist, in or out of the network, and receive benefits. The plan pays 100% Preventive Care (cleanings, X-rays and exams) 80% Basic Care (fillings and extractions), 50% Major Care (bridges, crowns and dentures) and 50% Orthodontia. Annual Plan Maximums are $1,500 for each enrolled member. Orthodontia Lifetime Maximum is $1,000.

GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE

Atlanta Public Schools provides $10,000 term life insurance coverage to all full-time employees at no cost to the employee.

Additionally, group term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage is available to employees and their legal dependents.

Group term life insurance is age rated for employees and spouses. Employees may purchase one to five times their annual salary up to $500,000 and up to 50% of their coverage amount on their spouse in increments of $10,000. Employees may purchase child coverage, $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance is also available from $10,000 to $100,000.

GROUP VISION PLAN

The plan covers the cost of an examination, lens and frames (with exception) from a network doctor at a copayment of $20. Members using non-network physicians or facilities will be reimbursed according to the reimbursement schedule offered by VSP. Contact lens, bifocals and trifocals are also available under the plan. The plan does not cover health conditions associated with the eyes.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY PLAN

The plan pays up to 60% of your gross annual salary if you become totally disabled. There is a 180-day elimination period. Benefits are paid up to age 65 in most cases, unless the disability occurs after age 65. Premiums are age and salary rated.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY PLAN

You may apply for enrollment within 31 days of employment. The Short Term Disability benefit replaces a portion of your pre-disability earnings, less other income that was actually paid to you during the same disability from other sources1 (e.g., state disability benefits, no fault auto laws, sick pay, vacation pay, etc.).The Benefit amount for the Low Plan is 50 % of your pre-disability weekly earnings; subject to the plan’s maximum weekly benefit of $500. The Benefit amount for the High Plan is 60 % of your pre-disability weekly earnings; subject to the plan’s maximum weekly benefit of $1,500.

DEPENDENT CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT PLAN

Employees may have childcare expenses deducted on a tax-free basis. Expenses are reimbursed for a dependent under age 13 that you are entitled to claim as a dependent on your federal income tax return; or a spouse or other tax dependent that is physically or mentally incapable of caring for him or herself. Maximum benefit election is $5,000 per year; $2,500 if married filing separate tax return. Annual administrative fee is $25.20.

MEDICAL SPENDING ACCOUNT PLAN

Employees may deposit up to $3,050 annually to use towards medical expenses during the year. Please see plan description for detailed coverage information. Annual administrative fee is $25.20.

CRITICALL ILLNESS

The group Critical Illness Plan helps you and your family cope with, and recover from, the financial stress of a critical illness or health condition. Lump-sum benefits are paid directly to the insured following the diagnosis of each covered critical illness. Coverage is available for you, your spouse, and dependent children under the age of 26.

Each dependent child is covered at 50 percent of the primary insured’s benefit amount at no additional charge.

IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION

The plan provides identity theft protection as well as identity restoration services for you, your spouse, and up to 10 dependent children under the age of 26. Consultation, monitoring and restoration services are provided to dependent children under the age of 18. Note: Monitoring services are not available for dependent children ages 18-26.

SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLANS

The Atlanta Public Schools offers a 403(b) and a 457 deferred compensation plan whereby earnings may be excluded from your taxable income up to limits as set forth by the Internal Revenue Service. These are voluntary plans and there are no employer contributions.

PENSION

Atlanta Public Schools does not contribute to Social Security. Participation in a pension plan is mandatory.

TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA (TRS)

• Full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week as a teacher, administrator, supervisor, clerk, teacher aide, secretary, paraprofessional or public school nurse must participate in the TRS pension plan.

• All members of the Teachers Retirement System contribute 6% of their gross income to the pension plan. Contributions are pre-taxed for both federal and state taxes.

• Members become vested after 10 years of service.

• Generally one must have 30 years of creditable service to retire.

• Sick leave may be used toward service time.

• Additional Information is available at www.trsga.com.

GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION PLAN (GEPP)

• Full-time employees not eligible for participation in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia are eligible for membership.

• Members of the Atlanta City General Employees’ Pension Plan contribute 7% of their gross salary if they are single, with no minor children, and 8% if they are married and/or have minor children.

• A member becomes vested in the plan after 5 years of service. You may qualify for a vested monthly benefit if employment is terminated after earning at least 5 years. Your vested monthly pension benefit becomes payable when you attain 60 years of age. If you are 60 or older when you leave, your vested pension is payable on the first day after you leave.

• Additional creditable service may be awarded for accumulated sick.

BENCOR

Atlanta Public Schools provides the BENCOR FICA Alternative Plan as an important retirement benefit for all part-time, seasonal and temporary employees.

• If you are eligible, you are automatically enrolled in the program. 

• Your employer will make a pre-tax contribution of 7.5% of your wages into a retirement account in your name.

• You will permanently save Social Security taxes that otherwise would be deducted from your wages.

• Income taxes are deferred on contributions to the plan until you withdraw the money from your account in the plan. • Your plan account is always 100% vested and belongs only to you.

• www.bencorplans.com

EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA (ERSGA)

• Full - time employees that are vested in ERS prior to becoming an employee with APS are eligible.

• All members of ERS contribute to the “New Plan” of 1.5% of their gross income to the pension plan.

• Contributions are pre-taxed for both federal and state taxes.

• Additional information is available at www.ers.ga.gov