April 11, 2023

This quarterly newsletter contains updates and information related to SPPS insurance benefits and offerings, workers’ compensation, wellness, and more! Questions about benefits or wellness can be directed to benefits@spps.org.

Did you know you can offset your taxable income (i.e. reduce what you owe to the IRS) by contributing more toward your retirement? Beyond your pension, contributions to a 403(b) or 457 account can help you retire more comfortably.

There are roughly 18 pay periods remaining in 2023 (14 if you’re a 10-month employee), and you can contribute from each of those paychecks. Your contributions are also eligible for a match from SPPS! The minimum match starts at $1,000 for full-time employees - you can find out more about what your match can be by reviewing the “TSA Match” section for your Union group on the Benefit Summary by Bargaining Unit.

The District will also match contributions 1:1 each check, up to the match limit, each calendar year.  

Not sure if you’re contributing, or how much you’re contributing? Review your pay stub in Employee Self-Service to check your current contribution. (Tip: for help understanding your pay stub, click here.) 

If you want to review how these contributions would look on your check before you sign up, you can also use the Paycheck Modeler tool under Employee Self-Service → Payroll (ePay) → Paycheck Modeler.

Ready to sign up? Click here to go to the TSA (Tax Sheltered Accounts) page, read through the information, and find the appropriate paperwork to complete under “Forms” on the right side of the page. Once complete, submit them to payroll@spps.org. 

Flexible spending is elected during open enrollment each fall, and is a pre-tax savings account you can use to pay for your qualifying out-of-pocket medical expenses or for daycare expenses.

FSA: (Flexible Spending Accounts) can be used for qualified medical expenses (things you pay for your health care). It could be for your prescription medicines, copays, coinsurance, deductibles and more. Read more about what qualifies, and what is not covered on page 2 of the form. Flexible Spending Accounts are use-it or lose-it funds, so make sure you submit reimbursements timely!

DCFSA: (Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts) can be used for daycare expenses for your children under age 13, but also for anyone considered your dependent for income tax purposes, such as a disabled parent. Read more about what qualifies, and what is not eligible for reimbursement on page 2 of the form. Dependent Care Spending Accounts are use-it or lose-it funds, so make sure you submit reimbursements timely before December 31!

HSA: (Health Spending Accounts) can be used for qualified medical expenses, and have the option for investment and ongoing savings. Optum Bank is the current provider for SPPS, and issues a debit card for you to use at the pharmacy or doctor’s office. You can contact Optum for more information or a replacement debit card by using the contact info on their website. HSA Accounts are yours to keep! Whether you leave the District or retire, the funds are yours. This makes it an additional way to save for retirement or bigger medical procedures.

988 Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Resource

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Get free, confidential help for things like mental health, work/life balance, legal/financial resources, medical advocacy, discounts, and much more! 

Student Loan Forgiveness Information

Workers’ Comp First Report of Injury Form 

SPPS Benefits archive can be found here.

SPPS Benefits Newsletter is a quarterly e-newsletter. Questions or comments regarding the contents of this newsletter or any SPPS benefits can be directed to benefits@spps.org.