Benefits

Discover the Benefits of Working with Newton County Schools!
We're glad you're considering a career with Newton County Schools! Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, well-being, and financial security.

Eligibility
All full-time employees working at least 20 hours per week in a benefit-eligible position are eligible to participate in all group benefit plans. New hires must enroll in benefits within 31 days of their hire date.

Group Health Insurance
Newton County Schools offers health coverage through the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), which offers plans from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente.

  • Anthem BCBS: HMO, Gold, Silver, and Bronze (HRA) plans
  • UnitedHealthcare: HMO and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
  • Kaiser Permanente: HMO plan

Visit https: www.shbp.georgia.gov for detailed plan information and to compare your options.

Vision Insurance: Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Vision insurance covers routine eye care, including exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses, helping you manage costs while maintaining eye health.

We offer two plan options: EyeMed and VSP. VSP primarily includes independent providers and retail locations like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco Optical, Pearle Vision, and Vision Works. EyeMed features major retailers such as LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears, Target, and America’s Best, as well as private practice providers.

This benefit makes it easier and more affordable to care for your vision and get the eyewear you need.

Dental Insurance: Protect Your Smile
Dental insurance, administered by Mutual of Omaha, helps maintain oral health by covering preventive care such as cleanings, exams, and X-rays. It also includes coverage for more extensive treatments like fillings, crowns, and other restorative procedures, reducing out-of-pocket costs and supporting long-term dental wellness.

Strong Retirement Benefits
While we do not participate in Social Security, the Social Security Fairness Act may allow some employees to receive full Social Security benefits based on earnings from other employment. For more information, visit the Social Security website.

We offer several retirement plans, ensuring you have options for a secure future:

Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS)

  • Who is Eligible: Full-time employees in positions such as teacher, administrator, supervisor, clerk, teacher aide, secretary, paraprofessional, or school nurse are required to participate in TRS.
  • Key Features:
    • Employee Contributions: 6% of gross income (pre-tax).
      o Vesting: 10 years of creditable service (Creditable service generally includes time worked in a TRS-covered position. Contact TRS for specific details).
    • Retirement Eligibility: 30 years of creditable service (no age requirement) or 10 years of creditable service and reaching age 60.
    • Unused Sick Leave: May count toward service time.
  • For more details, please visit www.trsga.com.

Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS)

  • Who is Eligible: Full-time public school employees who are not eligible for TRS, such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, maintenance staff, and custodians, may participate in PSERS.
  • Key Features:
    • Employee Contributions: A set monthly amount of either $4.00 or $10.00 during the school year (pre-tax).
    • Vesting: 10 years of creditable service.
    • Retirement Eligibility:
      • Early Retirement: Available at age 60 with at least 10 years of creditable service. Benefits are reduced by 6% per year (or 0.5% per month) before age 65.
      • Normal Retirement: Available at age 65 with at least 10 years of creditable service.
  • For more details, please visit the PSERS website.

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA)

  • Who is Eligible: Full-time employees who were previously employed in a position covered by the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) before joining Newton County Schools and retained their vesting status may be eligible to continue participating in ERSGA.
  • Key Features:
    • Employee Contributions: A percentage of gross income (pre-tax).
      o Vesting: 10 years of creditable service.
    • Retirement Eligibility: 30 years of service or age 60 with at least 10 years of service.
  • For more details, please visit www.ers.ga.gov.

Supplemental Retirement Savings Plans
Boost your retirement nest egg with our voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) deferred compensation plans. These plans offer flexible contribution options:

  • Pre-tax Contributions: Reduce your current taxable income by contributing pre-tax dollars. These contributions and their earnings are taxed upon withdrawal in retirement.
  • Roth Contributions: Make after-tax contributions for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

Contribution limits are set by the IRS.

This program provides additional retirement savings on top of your primary retirement plan (TRS, PSERS, or ERSGA).

  • Who is Eligible: Full-time employees participate in the Supplemental Retirement Savings Program, which provides additional retirement savings.
  • Key Features:
    • School system contributes 5.5% of the annual salary for TRS employees.
    • School system contributes 6.5% of the annual salary for PSERS employees.
    • Employees contribute 0.5% of their annual salary in place of Social Security.

Group Term Life Insurance (County-Provided)
Life insurance provides financial protection for your beneficiaries in the event of your death, offering a lump-sum payment to help cover expenses, debts, and living costs.

  • Key Features:
    • The School System provides life insurance for each full-time employee, equal to the employee's annual salary (not to exceed $175,000) plus $5,000.
    • In the event of accidental death, an additional $5,000 benefit is provided.
    • Coverage for dependents is available at a low-cost premium.

     

Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance
Employees can choose additional life insurance coverage up to 3x their annual salary, with a maximum benefit of $300,000 when combined with employer-paid Group Term Life and AD&D. Guaranteed issue is available up to 2x the annual salary. Employees may also elect Dependent Term Life coverage, with options of $1,000 or $10,000 for a spouse and children. Children under six months receive a $100 benefit. Premiums are employee-paid. Dependent Child Eligibility: Up to age 26.

Disability Insurance
Disability insurance helps replace lost income if an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. The School System provides long-term disability insurance at no cost to all full-time employees. Short-term disability insurance is also available for full-time employees at a low-cost premium.

Critical Illness/Cancer Insurance
Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum benefit for serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and end-stage renal failure. It pays in addition to other insurance, with cash benefits paid directly to the employee.

Newly eligible employees can enroll with guaranteed coverage up to $30,000. Spouses can enroll for up to $30,000 (not exceeding the employee’s amount), and dependent children receive 50% of the employee’s benefit, up to $15,000, at no extra cost. Dependent Child Eligibility: Up to age 26.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to set aside pre-tax money for healthcare and dependent care expenses, reducing taxable income and increasing savings. A Healthcare FSA lets employees contribute up to $3,300 (2025 IRS limit) for qualified medical expenses. A Dependent Care FSA allows up to $5,000 in pre-tax contributions to cover eligible dependent care expenses, such as child or adult daycare, after-school programs, and summer camps.

Group Accident Insurance: Financial Protection After an Accident
Group accident insurance covers off-the-job injuries, including emergency care, hospital stays, and accidental death. It provides cash benefits to help with medical and nonmedical expenses, paying in addition to other insurance.

Benefits include $200 for emergency room visits, $1,000 for hospital admission, $200 per day for confinement, and $400 per day for intensive care. Coverage also includes doctor visits, X-rays, screenings, and therapy.

The plan has guaranteed issue with no medical questions. Benefits are paid directly to you unless you choose otherwise. Dependent Child Eligibility: Up to age 26.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance: Financial Support During Hospital Stays
Hospital indemnity insurance provides financial support for hospital stays, helping cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and coinsurance, including for childbirth. Benefits are paid directly to you unless assigned otherwise.

Newly eligible employees receive guaranteed issue coverage with no pre-existing condition limitations or medical exams. The plan pays $1,000 for hospital admission and $150 per day for hospital confinement. Benefits are paid directly to you unless you choose otherwise. Dependent Child Eligibility: Up to age 26

Credit Union Membership & Payroll Deduction Options
Credit union membership provides employees with access to financial services, including savings accounts, loans, and other banking benefits. Employees can join the Georgia United Credit Union through the School System.

Contributions to the Credit Union, the Covington-Newton County United Way, the Georgia Association of Educators, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators can be deducted from payroll.

Leave Benefits
Leave benefits provide employees with time off for personal and medical needs.

  • Key Features:
    • Sick leave is earned at a rate of 1.25 days per month times the number of months worked.
    • Employees may use up to three sick leave days per year as personal leave.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential support to employees and their household family members at no cost. No enrollment is required to access services. Employees and their eligible family members can receive assistance with personal and work-related challenges, including stress, relationships, financial concerns, and more. The program includes up to three face-to-face counseling sessions per issue at no charge.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this webpage serves as a general guide. In the event of any discrepancies or questions, the official plan documents will take precedence.