The FCSU and its Member Schools provide coverage options through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and the Vermont Education Health Initiative [VEHI].

There are three plans offered:

• Vermont Health Partnership, a point-of-service plan.
• 250 Comprehensive, a fee-for-service plan.
• JY MB Plan.
• Compare Our Plans »

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
As part of your FCSU Member Benefit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont provides information on cessation and wellness programs, fitness opportunities, community events, 24 hr. nurse hotline, and much more.

• Application / Enrollment / Change Form
• Declaration of Health Care Coverage
  Must be completed annually if you decide against enrollment in your district’s health insurance. This form allows us to remain compliant with the State of Vermont’s health care coverage initiatives.

FY11 Premiums

• BFA/NWTC Professional Educators
• BFA/NWTC Professional Support
• BFA/NWTC Non-Union, Non-Certified Employees
• FFCS Professional Educators
• FFCS Professional Support
• SACS Professional Educators
• SACS Professional Support
• SACS Non-Union, Non-Certified Employees
• SATEC Professional Educators
• SATEC Professional Support
• SATEC Non-Union, Non-Certified Employees
• CO Professional
• CO Support

Alternative Benefit [Cash Option]
In certain cases, you may be eligible for a cash option in lieu of health care coverage. Amounts vary by agreement and by eligible level of coverage. Election of this benefit is included on the Flexible Spending Election Form and must be completed each year.

The FCSU and it's Member Schools provide coverage to eligible employees through Northeast Delta Dental.

"Delta" is a preferred provider plan. You may use other providers, however, Delta may not pay all charges.

K-8 Member Schools: The dental coverage does require a 30-day waiting period. Insurance coverage begins on the first day of the month following the first ‘full’ month of employment.

For more information:

• BFA UHS #48 / NWTC
• All K-8's
• Application / Change Form
• Northeast Delta Dental - Enroll and Have Access to Your Personal Account where you can:
  • Search for a Participating Dentist
  • Lookup Benefits and Balances
  • Get Dental Health Tips
  • Lookup Your Claims
  • Print Forms
  • Request additional identification cards
  • See Helpful FAQ’s
  • …and Other Valuable Information

FY11 Premiums

• BFA/NWTC Professional Educators
• BFA/NWTC Professional Support
• BFA/NWTC Non-Union, Non-Certified Employees
• FFCS Professional Educators
• FFCS Professional Support
• SACS Professional Educators
• SACS Professional Support
• SACS Non-Union, Non-Certified Employees
• SATEC Professional Educators
• SATEC Professional Support
• SATEC Non-Union, Non-Certified Employees
• CO Professional
• CO Support

Members of NE Delta’s Insurance Plan are also the beneficiaries of a vision discount program. For more information: www.eyemedvisioncare.com/deltadental.

The FCSU and it's Member Schools provide the following pre-tax benefit options:

The 125 Cafeteria Account plan allows eligible faculty and staff to have a portion of the premium payment for health and dental insurances deducted from their pay on a pre-tax basis.

The 125 Flexible Spending Account also has an option for eligible faculty and staff to have pre-taxed payroll deductions for eligible health and/or dependent care expenses.

• Employees do not have to be a participant in the group health plans in order to enroll in this option.
• There are date sensitive criteria with these plans that require a ‘use it or lose it’ proposition.
• These accounts are optional and are subject to conditions found in IRS regulations.
• Employees may be responsible for an administrative fee of $2.75 per month to maintain the plan.

Employees must submit a form each year, to the benefit coordinator whether enrolling in any, all or none of the options regarding flexible spending arrangements.

• Full Forms Kit
  Contains worksheets, forms, lists, plan description and the enrollment form; all you need for the program
• FY11 Enrollment form
  Flexible spending form includes an area in which the employee may elect "cash in lieu" of health insurance. [Cash Option]
• Other Terms and Conditions Statement
  Please read this statement before completing your enrollment form
• Personal Information Form
  This form, along with the enrollment form, is provided to the third party administrator and is used to manage employee accounts.

The third party administrator of our plan is:

Future Planning Associates
18 Blair Park, PO Box 905
Williston, VT 05495

our representative; Lena Dahlin: 802.878.6601 ext 101

Life and Accidental Death or Dismemberment Insurance

Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurances are provided to eligible employees in amounts pursuant to employment guidelines or a negotiated Master Agreement.

• BFA/NWTC Employees:
  • Life / AD&D Application
  • Beneficiary Change Form

• All K-8 member schools:
  • Life / AD&D Application
    Note: SATEC, FFCS, and Central Office, this application also serves as the LTD enrollment form.
  • Beneficiary / Name Change Form

Voluntary Long Term Disability Plan (LTD)

The FCSU and some of its Member Organizations (St. Albans Town Educational Center, Fairfield Center School and the Supervisory Union Office) provide an LTD plan which provides a source of income, should covered individuals become disabled and unable to work for an extended period of time. Plan features include a benefit for documented/approved disabilities of up to 60% of salary for up to 5 years or to age 70.

State Employees Retirement Systems:

The Vermont State Teachers Retirement System (VSTRS) is the public pension plan provided by the State of Vermont for State teachers. It was created in 1947 and is governed by Vermont Statute Title 16, Chapter 55. The State of Vermont Retirement Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of the system. In order to be enrolled in VSTRS, you must meet the definition of a “teacher” according to VSTRS eligibility criteria.

VSTRS requires an employee contribution of 5% of annualized salary.

The FCSU and all member schools are active contributors to the VSTRS system, participation is mandatory. No action is necessary on the employee’s part as enrollment is automatic.

The Vermont Municipal Employee’s Retirement System(VMERS) :
Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System (VMERS) is the public pension plan for participating municipal employees and is provided by the State of Vermont. It was created in 1975 and is governed by Vermont Statute Title 24, Chapter 125. The Vermont Municipal Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration and benefits of the system, and record keeping for the membership.

Enrolling in VMERS for eligible employees of SATEC, CO, and FFCS is conducted at the time of hiring with your Benefits Coordinator.

Once you are enrolled in either system, the State Retirement Office will contact you directly with periodic benefit updates, and information requests.

Learn more about VSTRS and VMERS at www.vermonttreasurer.gov, or by calling the State of Vermont Retirement Office 1-802-828-2305

Tax Deferred Retirement Options:

Please consult a tax advisor for information about what is right for you.

§403(b) Plan
Eligible employees of the FCSU and its member schools may elect to participate in a tax deferred income arrangement provided in § 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The FCSU's 403(b) plan authorizes deferrals solely to the State of Vermont 403(b) program, currently through Great West.

§457(b) Plan
Employees of governmental entities in the state of Vermont are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation program as provided in §457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The FCSU's 457(b) plan authorizes deferrals solely to the State of Vermont 457(b) program, currently through Great West.

Interested employees should contact the:

• Often Asked Q & A's
• Forms
  • 403(b) Enrollment
  • 403(b) Personal Information Change
  • 403(b) Salary Deferment Change Request
  • 457(b) Salary Deferment Change Request
  • FY11 Universal Availability - Must be completed by all regular staff every year at the beginning of the school year

A Written Plan Document describing the eligibility requirements, benefits, contribution and distribution limitations as well as the vendor(s) approved under the plan has been adopted by the FCSU for its members. The investment lineup offers something for all types of investors from participants who do not wish to actively select and monitor their investments, to an option with Charles Schwab (CS) for the more active investor. A state based committee monitors the funding vehicle(s). Please read the attached Q & A’s and all documentation you receive thoroughly.