Benefits Checklist for New Teachers

This checklist provides a quick summary of the benefits available to you through the MTEA-MBSD Teacher Contract and MTEA group-sponsored insurance plans.

Negotiated Benefits - Enroll Upon Employment

Find more information about health and dental benefits at our health insurance page for all members.

1. Health Care Plans - Negotiated benefit; premium fully paid by School Board (this may change - depending on the 2003-05 contract arbitration decision); two options available.
• Open Choice PPO Plan – Aetna U.S. Healthcare.
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan - UnitedHealthCare.
2.  Dental Care Plans - Negotiated benefit; the School Board pays most of the premium; two options available:
• Anthem - Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Traditional dental insurance).
• HMO-like dental plan – CARE-PLUS Dental.
3. Life Insurance - Negotiated benefit; the School Board fully pays the premium, up to $50,000 in coverage. Group term life insurance underwritten by the Trustmark Insurance Company with coverage equal to your annual salary (rounded up to the next $1,000).

Other Benefits - enroll at any time

1. Group Disability Insurance - Negotiated payroll deduction option; self-paid.
   MTEA group-sponsored plan underwritten by the Union Security Insurance Company . Several options to provide protection against the loss of salary due to a disabling illness or injury. New teachers can enroll on an open enrollment basis (regardless of medical history) during the first 60 days on the job.
2. Tax Deferred Annuities - Negotiated payroll deduction option; self-paid.
   A wide range of supplemental retirement investment opportunities, deducted from your salary before taxes are paid. You determine amount and type of investments.
3. Summer Pay Plan - Payroll deduction option; self-paid.
   Opportunity to have a portion of your biweekly paychecks deposited in an interest-earning account for payment to you during the summer (when MPS school year paychecks stop). We recommend the Educators Credit Union plan because ECU offers a wide range of financial services including checking, savings and loan programs.
4. Direct Deposit – Option to have your net pay automatically deposited with the financial institution of your choice. We also recommend Educators Credit Union for your direct deposit option.

Additional Insurance Options – Enroll at Your Convenience

1. Auto Insurance – MTEA-sponsored plan through TCA Insurance Services (1-262-783-7060). Self-payment of premiums.
2. Homeowners/Renters Insurance – MTEA-sponsored plan also through TCA Insurance Services. Self-payment of premiums.
3. NEA Benefits - You will receive information on these insurances a few months after you become an MTEA/WEAC/NEA member.
• Dues - TAB (Supplemental Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance at no cost to NEA members.)
• NEA Life Insurance - additional life insurance. Self-payment of premiums directly to NEA.

Other Negotiated Benefits

1. Teacher Pension
   Pension contribution fully paid by the school board. Enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System is automatic upon employment. (However, you must submit a WRS election form to participate in the Variable Trust Fund option.)
2. Personal Property Loss Reimbursement
   Board-paid up to $150 for personal property used in the course of employment, up to $300 if assault-related. Claim form available in school office.
3. Auto Vandalism Reimbursement
   Board-paid after a $20 deductible while employee's car is parked at school or on school business. Claim form available in school office.
4. Job-Related Injury or Illness Pay                                                                                         
   Up to 80 days at full net salary (not deducted from sick leave) for time lost from work; then select either sick pay or worker compensation weekly payments. EB-49 worker compensation report form available in school office.
5. Assault-Related Injury Pay
   Full net salary for entire period of disability, not deducted from sick leave. Assault form and EB-49 worker compensation report form available in school office.
6. Sick Leave Pay
   Full pay from earned accumulation when absent due to personal or family illness; accumulates at the rate of approximately 1.25 days per month; maximum accumulation of 100 hours for 10-month school year. If you save 812 hours of sick leave, you receive a significant contribution toward payment of your health insurance premium after retirement.