Teacher Benefit Overview Insurance - Teachers participate in the Benefits by Design plan.  The Benefits by Design is a flexible benefits plan or a "cafeteria" plan.  The plan offers teachers a number of benefit options to choose from and "flex dollars" to purchase benefits.  The amount of flex dollars you receive is based on the labor agreement. The Benefits by Design plan includes required core benefits and optional benefits.  Core Benefits (Required): Medical -Single coverage in HealthPartners Primary Clinic Deductible Plan Dental - Single coverage Life Insurance ($50,000 basic benefit) Long-term Disability (LTD) Optional Benefits: Medical - single coverage in Distinctions Plan or Health Savings Account Qualified Deductible Plan, or single plus one dependent or family coverage in any of the three available medical plans Dental - family coverage Optional Life Insurance - for you, your spouse and/or dependent children Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) - for you and your spouse Short-term Disability - for you Flexible Spending Account - for medical and dependent care expenses Holidays - There are paid holidays during the school year. Sick Leave - Teachers accumulate sick leave based on the number of hours worked up to 12 days per year. Attendance Incentive Plan - This plan allows teachers to "sell" unused sick days for extra flex dollars to help cover the cost of benefits. Pension Plan - Teachers are members of the Saint Paul Teachers' Retirement Fund Association (SPTRFA).  Both employees and the School District contribute to the pension plan. Tax-free Retirement Accounts - Public employees are eligible on an optional basis to invest towards retirement (other than public pension) with pre-tax dollars withheld from their paycheck.  The Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan (457) and the Tax Sheltered Annuity (403(b)) are the two accounts available. After three years of employment, employees may be eligible for a District match.