In addition to the basic salary, the Board recognizes that certain benefits for full-time employees are an integral part of the total compensation.

Life Insurance
All regular employees under regular contract are eligible to participate in the group life insurance plan. Participation is mandatory for all new professional employees, under regular contract, who must complete the application form at the time of initial processing.

The amount of life insurance to which the employee is entitled is determined by the employee's annual earnings for hourly employees and contractual amount for salaried employees and is equal to two (2) times this amount. Any insurance not in exact multiple of $1,000.00 is adjusted to the next higher $1,000.00. There is an equal amount of Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance coverage. This plan is contributory whereas the Board pays the entire cost.

A physical examination for life insurance is not required of the employee if formal application for insurance coverage is made within thirty (30) days of employment. After the 30-day period, the company requires a statement of health to be forwarded to the home office for approval before employee can be insured. The company may also require a physical before approval of a late registrant's application.

The amount of life insurance for an active employee who reaches age 65 will be reduced by 35% until retirement. The amount of life insurance then in force for all covered employees reduces to 50% raised to the next higher $1,000.00, if not an exact multiple of $1,000.00. This coverage can be converted to an individual policy if employment is terminated before retirement.

Dependent Life Insurance
All employees are eligible to participate in a Group Dependent Life Insurance Program. Participation is optional. Eligible dependents are defined as: the employee's husband or wife (except if legally separated) and unmarried children from fourteen (14) days of age to age nineteen (19). Dependent children who are full time college students can continue in the plan until age 23.

Life insurance for the employee's spouse is available in amounts from $5,000 to $150,000. Any amount over $20,000 requires acceptable review of a Statement of Health. The amount of the life insurance for each dependent child varies based on the child's age with a maximum of $5,000. Dependent life insurance is not available to retirees.

Tax Shelter Annuities Plans
Tax shelter annuities are available for all employees who normally work more than 20 hours per week. These benefits are handled through the Employee Benefits Office.

Accident Insurance (Student Policy)
All regular employees are eligible to participate in the Student's Accident Insurance Plan endorsed by the Shelby County Board of Education. This insurance is available near the beginning of each school year. The employee will pay the entire cost in one annual payment at the local school. Employees not assigned to a school and substitutes may inquire about this insurance through the Employees Benefits Office.

Health Care Benefits
Shelby County Board of Education employees, except part-time and interim teachers, have the option of participating in one of the group health care programs provided by the Shelby County Schools PPO Plan (Cigna) or the Shelby County Schools POS Plan (Cigna). The plans are available with either family or individual coverage. As contributory plans, the Board and the employee share the premium cost. Premiums will be paid by payroll deduction in twenty (20) biweekly payments. The annual Open Enrollment period is the only time application or changes can be made unless there is a Qualifying Life Event, as defined by the Shelby County Schools Flexible Benefits Plan. New employees have thirty (30) days after employment to enroll.

Insurance After Retirement
Health Care Plans
Unless eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits, upon retirement retiring employees on behalf of themselves and their dependents may continue to participate in the same health insurance programs including all plan options (hereinafter the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Health Insurance Programs) that are currently being offered to active Shelby County Schools employees; provided that the retiree has completed fifteen (15) years of service with Shelby County Schools or a combination of ten (10) years of outside service credit as reflected in T.C.R.S. or Tennessee Department of Education records plus five (5) years of service with Shelby County Schools. The Shelby County Board of Education (the Board) shall contribute the same percentage of annual health insurance premiums for retirees and their dependents as that which the Board contributes on behalf of active employees and their dependents who participate in the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Health Insurance Programs. The annual health insurance premium costs for the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Health Insurance Programs and the coverage offered under the Programs shall be the same for all active Shelby County Schools Board of Education employees and their dependents and retirees of the Shelby County Board of Education and their dependents who have not become eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits.

When a retiree or their covered dependents becomes eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits, the retiree and their covered dependents that have become eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits shall no longer be eligible to participate in the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Health Insurance Programs that are currently being offered to actual Shelby County Schools' employees and their dependents. However, Shelby County Schools shall pay on behalf of those retirees and their dependents that have become eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits the same percentage of premium costs for the supplemental health insurance policy as they pay for health insurance premiums for active Shelby County Schools' employees and their dependents who participate in the Shelby Schools County Board of Education Health Insurance Programs. The amount and coverage of the supplemental health insurance policy shall be determined by the Shelby County Schools Board of Education.

If a retiree has become eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits and that retiree has dependent coverage, any dependent that has not become eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits may continue to participate in the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Health Insurance Programs that are currently being offered to dependents of active Shelby County Schools' employees. The Shelby County Schools Board of Education shall contribute the same percentage of health insurance premiums for those retiree dependents that have not become eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits as that which the Board contributes on behalf of dependents of active employees who participate in the Shelby County Board of Education Health Insurance Programs.

Life Insurance
Upon retirement from active service, as determined by the Board, the amount of life insurance then in force reduces 50% raised to the next higher $1,000.00, if not an exact multiple of $1,000.00, with Board contribution percentage being comparable to that of active employees.

Employees must complete fifteen (15) years of service with ten (10) years of outside service credit as reflected in T.C.R.S. or Tennessee Department of Education records applying towards the fifteen (15) years to maintain the life insurance as a retiree.

Dependent Life
Dependent life insurance as part of the retirement benefit is not available upon retirement. (The word “dependents” is as defined by the current Shelby County Schools Board of Education health insurance program.)