Benefits

Florida is a right-to-work state. Education employees are not required to join an association of their fellow workers. Still, in our county, over 4,400 employees elect to belong to their respective associations. Why do educators and educational support personnel elect to expend a portion of their hard-earned wages for membership dues?

They do so to support their collective efforts. They understand the strength in their unity. They know the value of membership. They choose to stand together, for each other, and for public education.

Seminole UniServ is committed to the active, collaborative advancement of public education by empowering, supporting, and advocating for the educators and educational personnel it represents. Seminole UniServ empowers them. Seminole UniServ empowers public education.

Seminole UniServ speaks at the bargaining table, the district boardroom, and in the offices of legislators. Seminole UniServ labors in the classroom next door, in the offices, hallways, and common areas of our schools, and on the roads of Seminole County. Seminole UniServ sits next to you in the workroom and the lunchroom.

Members of Seminole UniServ stand together with 130,000+ members of the Florida Education Association, 1.3 million members of the American Federation of Teachers, and 2.7 million members of the National Education Association.

In addition to the many offers your national and state associations offer, we have a number of local benefits we recommend to you. If what you are looking for, from insurance to car rental discounts, is not listed on this page please call the Seminole UniServ office at 407-388-1131.

Universal Orlando Resort® is offering every certified teacher in Florida an incredible opportunity to experience TWO exciting theme parks -- Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure®...FREE! It’s their way of saying “thanks” for all you do! Click here for details.

Seminole UniServ Members ONLY benefit offering auto and home insurance. For a free, no obligation quote call (800) 835-0894 or visit us on the Web at www.libertymutual.com/lm/creativebenefits.

I attended an employee meeting recently where a representative of the new LTC company (UNUM) was explaining the benefits of their plan. It seems like a good Group plan, but of particular importance is the one-time only opportunity for any SCPS employee to sign up under a guarantee issue basis. This means that any employee, regardless of any pre-existing illness is guaranteed to qualify for the SCPS LTC plan. The plan is portable, which means you can take it with you when you leave SCPS. The deadline to qualify under the guarantee issue basis is May 11. After that deadline you will have to answer medical questions to qualify for the plan.

The guarantee issue offer is available ONE TIME ONLY until May 11 - It will not be repeated again. It is available to employees only. Spouses and other relatives who are not SCPS employees will need to answer medical questions.

Normally, if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as heart trouble, stroke, cancer or have trouble walking due to weight or diabetes you would not be able to enroll in this benefit. But if you apply before May 11, you are guaranteed to qualify for the LTC Plan. This is a great opportunity for any employee to sign up without having to answer medical questions. This is especially good for any employee who has an ongoing illness or medical condition since you are guaranteed to be accepted - IF YOU APPLY BEFORE MAY 11.

To learn more about what Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance does and why you might need it, go to: www.scpseldercare.com

If you want more information about this plan or need help to enroll, call 1.800.227.4165.

If you have additional questions either about the plan or whether the SCPS LTC plan is right for you, feel free to call or email me. My contact information is below. You can contact me directly or leave a message for me at the UniServ office. I am also available to meet with groups of UniServ Members at your workplaces. Have your Fac Rep contact me directly to set up a worksite meeting.

AIG Retirement Advisors provide a broad range of investment and financial planning products and services. We help keep it simple. Begin with a financial plan, then implement areas of need.

This plan provides analysis of your current financial situation, addressing six areas of financial planning:

Retirement Planning: Payroll/Deducted Plans: 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity, 457 Deferred Comp, ROTH/403b (New!), DROP/Florida Retirement System (SRS) Consultation, IRAs (Rollover, ROTH and Traditional)

Education Planning: 529 College Plans, Coverdell ESA, UTMA and FL Prepaid Consultation.

Mutual Funds: Independently Managed No Load, Retail: American, Oppenheimer, Putnam, T. Rowe Price, John Hancock and many more!

Contact your AIG Retirement Advisor, Tate Blomquist at (407) 929-5026 or Tate.Blomquist@AIG.Com

If you are looking for a place to “park’ some money for a few months, CFECU has a deal for you. Since the credit union is celebrating their 70^th anniversary, they are offering a special deal now on a “share certificate” which is similar to a CD. The Annual Percentage Yield (APR) for this share certificate is 7% for 7 months with a deposit of $777. The deadline for this offer is May 25. The most you can contribute is $777 and you will need to go into a CFECU branch and speak with one of their representatives before May 25 to sign up. For more details on this offer and locations of CFECU branches call 407.896.9411 or go to www.mycfe.com.

Attorney's fees a job-related concern can cost thousands of dollars and clients are responsible for the cost even if they prevail. Seminole UniServ Membership provides professional representation for the following issues and MORE:

PLUS any other issue which may arise as a result of a Member's performance of his/her duties and responsibilities as a School Board employee . . .

If you are a Member in need legal services, please contact Seminole UniServ @ 407-388-1131

The ULSP is a jointly sponsored NEA FEA legal defense program, designed to provide members and local affiliates appropriate legal assistance in employment-related legal proceedings.

The Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program is an insurance program that protects FEA members from personal financial liability for incidents arising out of their employment. Individuals are automatically covered by the EEL Program as a benefit of membership in the association.

Payment of the legal costs of defending civil suits (other than suits concerning Civil Rights) brought against a member in the course of his/her employment; and, up to $1 million per member per occurrence in damages assessed against the member as a result of such suits. The policy also provides up to $250,000 for defense, settlements or judgments and other supplementary payments for suits concerning civil rights.

Reimbursement for attorney fees and other legal costs up to $35,000 when a member is charged with violating a criminal statute in the course of his/her employment and the member is exonerated from these charges.

Reimbursement up to $1,000 of bail bond premium when a member must post a bond as the result of an occurrence arising out of the member's employment.

The EEL program is currently underwritten and administered by Horace Mann Insurance Company (HMIC). In order to access the program, members must first report claims to the local. The Office of Legal Services coordinates and monitors the claims through HMIC.

The Attorney Referral Program (ARP) assists Florida Education Association (FEA) members in obtaining personal legal services at a reduced cost. The ARP is administered through a network of law firms through the state that have been recommended for the most part by local associations. The participating firms agree to provide certain legal services to FEA members at rates below their usual fees. Members are permitted to select an ARP attorney in the program.

Members are entitled to up to two free consultations with an ARP attorney up to 30 minutes each program year. If a member decides to retain a program attorney for personal legal services beyond the initial consultation, the member is entitled to a 30% discount for legal work done in five "core areas', Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Domestic Relations, Consumer Protection, and Traffic Violations.

AFT PLUS is the name for the discounts, services, insurance, financial services and travel programs available to AFT members as a benefit of their membership. Each AFT PLUS program has been carefully reviewed to ensure it meets the AFT PLUS standards of quality and value for our members. Explore the site and learn more about the savings and services available to you as a union member.

There are many ways that NEA Member Benefits can help you provide a better life for your family. Thanks to the buying power of 2.8 million members, you can save with exclusive Insurance Programs, Financial Services and Member Discounts designed to meet your ever-changing needs. Don't forget to also visit the helpful Tools and Tips and Free Monthly Giveaways section.

Insurance Programs

NEA Members Insurance Trust®

NEA DUES-TAB Insurance

Group Term Life

Preferred Term Life

Level Premium Term Life

AD&D Plan

Premier Accidental Death Plan

NEA Joint Protection Life

Guaranteed Issue Life

Medicare Supplement

Casualty Insurance