Great Employee Benefits
If you are full-time employee of Atlanta Public Schools and you work at least 20 hours per week, you are eligible to enroll in our group benefits plan.
Read more about each benefit we offer.
Click on the colored + and – symbols below to read more about each benefit offered by APS.
Group Health Insurance
The State Health Benefit Plan of Georgia administers the health insurance program for Atlanta Public Schools. There is a traditional indemnity plan, a regular PPO plan, a Consumer Driven Health Plan, a high deductible health plan, and four HMO plans, including consumer choice options for the PPOs & HMOs.
Group Dental Insurance
There are two dental plans made available through the Delta Dental Insurance Company. They are the PPO plan and DeltaCare Network, which is a dental maintenance organization. Members enrolled in the PPO dental plan may choose any licensed dentist. The plan pays by percentage – 100% preventative services, 80% basic services 50% major services, and 50% orthodontia services up to a maximum annual benefit of $1,000. There is also a $1,000 lifetime maximum for orthodontia services. DeltaCare provides many preventative and some basic services at no cost to members. All other services are performed at a discount. The cost of various dental services is listed on a charge sheet made available by the company to each member. There is no limit to the services you may receive, except those services performed on a six-month or annual basis.
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 through the Standard Life Insurance Company. Additionally, group term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage is available to employees and their legal dependents.
Group term life coverage is age rated for employees and spouses. Employees may purchase one to five times their annual salary and up to 50% of their coverage amount on their spouse in increments of $10,000. Employees may purchase child coverage, $5,000, or $10,000. Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance is also available.
Medical Spending Account
TASC administers the medical spending account. Employees may deposit up to $5,000 annually to use towards medical expenses during the year. Please see plan description for detailed coverage information. Annual administrative Fee is $72.
Annuities
The Atlanta Public Schools offers access to three (3) different 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity providers whereby earnings may be excluded from your taxable income up to limits as set forth by the Internal Revenue Service. This is a voluntary plan and there are no employer contributions.
Pension (IMPORTANT NOTE)
Atlanta Public Schools does not contribute to Social Security. Participation in a pension plan is mandatory. Please check your payroll check to ensure that contributions are being made to pension. If they are not being deducted, please contact Employee Benefits 404-802-2336 immediately. Arrears deductions will be made in a lump sum once they are discovered.
General Employees Pension Plan (GEPP)
(Currently Enrolled Employees of the Atlanta Public Schools)
- Full-time employees not eligible for participation in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia must participate in the General Employees’ Pension Plan.
- 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.
- Additional creditable service may be awarded for accumulated sick leave.
- You may qualify for retirement if:
You are enrolled under the 1978 Amendment to the General Employees’ Pension Fund and;
- You are at least age 65, or
- You are at least age 60 and have completed at least 15 years of service.
Other options of retirement may be found in the membership booklet.
Group Long Term Disability
Group long-term disability is made available through the Standard Life Insurance Company. 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.
Group Vision Insurance
Group vision coverage is available through Vision Service 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.
Supplemental Plans - AFLAC
Atlanta Public Schools offers cancer, short-term disability, and long-term care through AFLAC. You will need to contact AFLAC at 800-99-AFLAC or www.aflac.com for plan information and enrollment. You may apply for enrollment within 31 days of employment or during the annual enrollment period. Enrollment is subject to underwriting.
Dependent Care Spending Account
TASC administers dependent care-spending account. Employees may have child care 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 $72.
Savings Bonds
Series EE and Series I savings bonds offered by the Department of Treasury are available through the payroll savings plan. For more information, refer to www.savingsbonds.gov.
Teacher's Retirement System of Georgia (TRS)
(Currently Enrolled Employees and New Employees to the Atlanta Public Schools)
- 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 5% of their gross income to the pension plan.
- In addition to the employee contribution, an employer contribution is made as well.
- 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.
- Other options of retirement may be found in the membership booklet