Benefit Information

Health Insurance

Employees that are half-time (.50 FTE) or more may elect for health insurance coverage in one of the plans listed below upon hire or during open enrollment in June. Click on the plan links to access health summary documents. Current health insurance premium rates are included in the new hire documents that have been emailed to you through Adobe Sign. Please contact the Payroll Department if you have any questions about health insurance eligibility, plans, or premiums. The attached document provides information on selecting the right health insurance plan for you.

A/B Health Plan

0.875-1.0 FTE                  $408.93 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)    

0.75-0.874 FTE                $734.38 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.50-0.74 FTE                  $1,059.83 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

C/B Health Plan       

0.875-1.0 FTE                  $292.46 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.75-0.874 FTE                $617.91 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.50-0.74 FTE                   $943.36 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

F/B Health Plan

0.875-1.0 FTE                  $180.46 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.75-0.874 FTE                $505.91 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.50-0.74 FTE                  $831.36 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

HDHP Health Plan

0.875-1.0 FTE                  $49.06 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.75-0.874 FTE                $374.51 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

0.50-0.74 FTE                  $699.96 per pay period (Sept 15 - May 31)

New York Life Enrollment/Change Request

As a CEA employee with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, you will automatically be enrolled in a $15,000 life insurance policy through New York Life at no cost to you. Additionally, for a fee of $1.28 per pay period, you have the option to enroll in an additional $15,000 worth of coverage. You also have the option to enroll to elect for additional coverage in multiples of your salary. This may require additional paperwork. Should you need any additional assistance determining these premiums, please contact the Payroll Department.

Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Plan

As a district employee, you will be paying into the State of Alaska retirement plan. Employees who work at least 30 hours per week are part of PERS. Depending upon the year that you entered the PERS system, your plan contributions and benefits will be different. On this chart, you can see the type of deductions and benefits provided to you according to the tier you are in. You will need to set up an account on the Empower website after your first paycheck. Your beneficiaries for your retirement plan can be designated from your Empower account. If you are defined benefit Tier I or Tier II, Payroll will contact you to complete the necessary paperwork. All non-certificated employees also contribute to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity plan and further information can be found here.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Better Together: Financial Readiness Overview

Empower Retirement Advisory Services Flyer

Fee Comparison Worksheet

PERS Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Features and Highlights

Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan Features and Highlights

As an employee of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, you have the opportunity to save for retirement by participating in your Employer’s 403(b) retirement plan. A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for certain employees of public schools.  Click here for our Universal Availability Notice. For more information, please visit the Payroll benefits page.

Recommended Follow-up Tasks

• After the first payroll has processed, log in to the Empower website at akdrb.com to complete a beneficiary form for each account you have with Empower, including the State of Alaska PERS or TRS DCR, SBS-AP, and DCP. 
• Learn more about your benefits by scheduling an appointment (by phone or in-person) with a Retirement Benefit Counselor AK DRB Appointments or by calling toll-free at (800) 821-2251.
• Learn more about your investments and the tools to help you manage your funds by scheduling an appointment with an Empower Retirement Plan Advisor by calling (800) 232-0859 or by emailing anchorageoffice@empower-retirement.com.
• To stay on track for retirement, make an appointment with an Empower representative both annually and when you experience any major life event, such as marriage, divorce, birth, loss of spouse, job promotion, or inheritance.
• Review the employee handbook here

Additional Information Needed

Highly Qualified Positions

If you are being hired for a position that requires you to be highly qualified, an additional form will be emailed to you via Adobe Sign. When completing the form you will be required to upload a copy of either your official college transcripts demonstrating the completion of 48 semester hours of college coursework or an associate degree, or passing scores on the ParaPro Assessment Exam. 

FBI Background Check

All employees of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District must complete an FBI Background Check upon hire.  All new hires will be required to make an appointment with Human Resources to have fingerprints completed. At that time you will be responsible for paying the $48.25 processing fee required by the State of Alaska. This fee can be paid through a payroll deduction. By completing an FBI Background Check you consent to the following statement found here.

Physical Examination Form

All Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District employees are required to get a physical within thirty (30) days of hire. This is a two-page form and you will need to ensure that you and your doctor have completed all questions and have signed where necessary. It is recommended that you wait until your District coverage begins before getting your physical as it will cover 100% of the cost. Information on reimbursements for physicals is included on the form. When requesting reimbursement, please include/make note of the following:

• If you are covered under any health insurance, please submit your bill to your health insurer before requesting a reimbursement
• Include a copy of the bill for your doctor visit
• Include a paid receipt

Please Note: For new hires, your insurance will be effective starting the first workday of the month following your first day worked. You may wait until your insurance starts before getting your physical as annual exams are covered under our insurance.