Please click on hyperlinked topics for more information and documents
Welcome to the Benefits Page!
Employees who are in .50 positions and higher are eligible for medical coverage with State Health Benefit Plan and ancillary benefits provided by the District. The medical coverage provided by State Health Benefit Plan meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act for minimum value standard (affordability) and essential minimum coverage.
All employees must make an election for coverage as a new hire and annually thereafter during the Open Enrollment that takes place each year in October.
Cafeteria Plan Benefits
SCCPSS operates a plan designed under the Internal Revenue Service Code Section 125 to allow many benefit deductions to be taken from your pay on a pre-tax basis. This means that you are not taxed on the health, dental and vision coverage deductions that come out of your paycheck. You can also set up flexible spending reimbursement accounts with pre-taxed contributions to reimburse your dependent care expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses managed by our partnership with TASC. Newly hired employees are required to submit enrollment applications for medical coverage with State Health Benefit Plan and with bswift for District benefits within 31 days of their hire date. Coverage is in effect on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment. Your coverage for health insurance is through the Georgia State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) and they provide the coverage, make policies and set premiums for the entire State of Georgia. The District contributes $11,340.00 for classified and $18,960 for certified annually to the medical coverage for each employee enrolled in State Heath Benefit Plan.
Health insurance providers in the SHBP Plans in Savannah Area:
|
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
1-855-641-4862
|
United Healthcare
1-888-364-6352
|
For Plan information, click the following Link:
https://shbp.georgia.gov/plan-options-programs Once enrolled in the coverage, employees are covered for the entire year that ends 12/31 annually. Changes can only be made during the Plan Year if an employee has a qualifying event defined as follows:
SHBP Qualifying Events (PDF 40KB)
Health Plan Options
The State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) is established for the benefit of school districts and other governmental employers by the Georgia Legislature. SHBP operates through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). SHBP and DCH determine the plan design, the monthly premiums, and the network providers. SCCPSS provides payroll deduction for your premium along with other administrative support: http://dch.georgia.gov/state-health-benefit-plan-shbp
SHBP Summary of Benefits and Coverage Plan Documents
The Plan Documents contain the controlling terms and conditions for the SHBP. The Plan Documents include the Summary Plan Descriptions, SHBP Regulations, Board resolutions that establish premiums, policies, and other documents used to determine what benefits are payable under the Plan and who is eligible for the Plan. DCH is solely responsible for determining which documents are Plan Documents, and the vendors are required to administer the SHBP in accordance with the Plan Documents. For employers that provide the SHBP through a contract with DCH, the contract is also a Plan Document. These documents include Benefit Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) documents for each vendor and tier.
State Health has partnered with PeachCare for Kids. Please review the data below to see if you may qualify for the PeachCare Program:
PeachCare and State Health (PDF - 466 KB)
The retirement plans available to employees are established by the Georgia Legislature. The governing boards determine the plan design and employee contribution amounts. SCCPSS provides payroll deductions for your contribution and other administrative support.
Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Georgia is the retirement plan that covers most employees. Effective July 1, 2012, members contribute 6.0% of their gross salary on a pre-tax basis to the plan. The District currently contributes 19.81% of pay for fiscal year 2022. Employees are vested after 10 years of creditable service. Full retirement benefits are available after 30 years of creditable service. The links below will allow you to view the TRS website and TRS documents including the TRS Members' Guide:
Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) of Georgia is the plan that covers employees who are non-supervisory roles in Maintenance, Custodial, and Food Service functions. Members contribute $4.00 to the plan each month for 9 months (September-May) each year. Employees hired after 6/30/2012 are required to contribute $10.00 to the plan each month. Employees are vested after 10 years of creditable service.
District Sponsored Benefit Plans
Ancillary Insurance Products
Basic Life Insurance
The District pays for a $20,000 term life insurance policy with MetLife for each employee who works at least 20 hours per week. Additionally, the District pays for $5,000 term life for each employees' spouse and dependent children.
Supplemental Term Life & AD&D Insurance
You can purchase additional life insurance in units of $10,000 up to $500,000 in coverage with MetLife. If you become disabled, your insurance may be continued with no premium payment provided that you file a timely waiver of premium application.
Dental Insurance is available through Ameritas. Employees have two options to choose from for Dental Insurance.
Vision Care Insurance is available throught EyeMed. Employees have two options to choose from for Vision Care Insurance. The vision plan provides vision exams, lenses (or contacts), and frames at set prices when network providers are used. EyeMed participating providers will file claims for In-Network services. The employee must file a claim for reimbursement to receive an out-of-network benefit.
Short and Long Term Disability
Short term disability insurance pays a weekly benefit amount that you choose (40%, 50% or 60% of your current weekly pay subject to coordination with other benefit payments such as sick time, worker's compensation, social security, etc.) when you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Waiting periods are elected for 14-days, 30-days or 60-days for a disability up to 180 days. The monthly premium is based on the amount of benefit and waiting period you choose.
Supplemental Insurance
You may have health insurance through SHBP, but it may not be enough to cover out-of-pocket expenses associated with health conditions. That's where AFLAC's supplemental insurance can help. The right coverage can help with doctor bills, hospital stays and even nonmedical expenses like child care and transportation if you're dealing with an accident, hospitalization, cancer or critical illness.
Flexible Spending Accounts
TASC is the District provider for Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care and medical reimbursement.
403B & 457B Retirement Plans
All District employees are eligible to participate in voluntary 403B & 457B plans with District approved vendors. Defined contribution plans allow employees to save for their retirement with pretax dollars based on annual limits defined by the IRS. The plan was created to encourage long-term savings for retirement and voluntary employee contributions are payroll deducted semi-monthly. For additional information, please click the link below:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available through Lifestyle Management Resources and also with other community resources for many of life's problems such as family crises, stress management, marriage counseling, alcohol & drug abuse, anger, grief, parenting, etc. at little or no cost to all employees, spouses, and dependents. The Community Resource Guide lists many organizations and programs that provide support and improvement in personal growth and work/life balance to improve an individual's quality of life.
Employee Perks
Human Resources has negotiated free services and discounts for our employees through years of building community partnerships. Please take time to review the Employee Perks Packet to take advantage of real savings and discounts to your wallets and pocketbooks!
For additional details or questions, please contact the Benefits Department: (912) 395-5899.
