Benefits
Please choose your desired topic from the menu below. If you have any further benefits questions after reviewing this information, please contact our Payroll Office:
Cheyanne Weber
Phone: (734)424-4100 ext. 1014
Fax: (734)424-4111
Email: payroll@dexterschools.org
Health Benefits
- Enrollment & Open Enrollment
- Qualifying Change Event
- CURRENT PLANS - DAA, DEA, FT INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT
- CURRENT PLANS - DESPA
- Current Plans DESPA Kitchen Managers 7hr + & 8hr Para
- Current Plans Bus Drivers and Jenkins
- Health Savings Accounts
- HEALTH BENEFIT RATES
Enrollment & Open Enrollment
New Employees: go to MESSA.org and use the following detailed instructions to make your benefit elections:
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Click here for the MESSA Online Benefits Enrollment User Guide
- MESSA Baby Workshop: What to know when expecting – March 7, 2022. Meeting Slides/BabyPacketPortfolio
- MESSA DEA Workshop: Comparing Plans– March 14, 2022. Meeting Slides
Open Enrollment Information
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Open Enrollment will be 11/1/22-11/15/22 (for coverage effective 1/1/2023)
- MESSA Open Enrollment Meeting Slides 11/2/22
OPEN ENROLLMENT DOCUMENTS
STEPS FOR COMPLETING OPEN ENROLLMENT (for MESSA groups)
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For detailed instructions - MESSA Open Enrollment Users Guide
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Log in to your My MESSA account (or register)
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Select Online benefits website (This takes you to MESSA's enrollment portal)
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Choose Change My Elections - If considering a Plan change please read: Moving MESSA Plans
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If waiving medical coverage you must complete an online open enrollment election ANNUALLY. MESSA groups do this by choosing MESSA No Medical - Opt Out (PAK B)
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HSA elections must be made ANNUALLY online
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Flexible Spending Elections must be made ANNUALLY online
OPEN ENROLLMENT (for Blue Cross/Blue Shield groups)
BCBS BCN changes for bus drivers, Jenkins, and individual part time staff are now on the online MESSA portal (follow login instructions above). There are no longer any paper forms.
IF YOU OPT OUT OF MEDICAL COVERAGE, YOU MUST COMPLETE OPEN ENROLLMENT EVERY YEAR. Health Care Reform regulations require that employees who WAIVE employer sponsored health coverage must make the waiver of coverage ANNUALLY. All waivers are confirmed on the online MESSA portal for ALL groups this year, including Bus Drivers and Jenkins.
Qualifying Change Event
Dexter Community Schools
Qualifying Event to Change your Benefit Coverage Mid-year
You make your health benefit elections during Open Enrollment, once a year, in early November, for coverage effective the following January 1. Watch your email in late October/early November each year. Open Enrollment Information is posted on the Business Office Webpage.
If you need to make a change outside of Open Enrollment, you may do so if you have a Qualifying Change Event. The rules are established by the IRS and described in the MESSA OptionALL Section 125 Plan Document.
You may change your health benefit election if you, your spouse, or your child become eligible or ineligible for coverage under either our Plan or another plan. Common reasons to make a mid-year change include:
• legal marital status (marriage, divorce)
• number of dependents (birth, death, adoption, placement for adoption)
• employment status (strike or lockout, termination of employment, leave of absence)
• work schedule (a change from Full-time to part-time)
• a dependent becomes eligible or ineligible for benefits under the Plan
• an election made by your Spouse or child under another plan due to a Qualifying Change Event or during an open enrollment period that is different from the calendar year of our Plan (not for Dependent Care FSA or Health Care FSA)
• the availability or cost change (significant increase or decrease) of benefit options or coverage under our Plan (not for Dependent Care FSA or Health Care FSA)
• your dependent care provider or cost of dependent care (a significant increase or decrease) (for the Dependent Care FSA only)
If you want to change an election because of a Qualifying Change Event, login into your MyMESSA account and create a life event. You must initiate the change within 30 calendar days after the date of the Qualifying Change Event. Do not wait for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other official documentation to be issued. Provide your documentation to the Payroll Office once you receive it. If you do not initiate a request for a change in coverage within 30 days you will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period or until you experience another consistent Qualifying Change Event.
CURRENT PLANS - DAA, DEA, FT INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT
- MESSA Admin Rates 2023
- MESSA DEA Rates 2023
- MESSA Admin Rates 2022
- MESSA DEA Rates 2022
- MESSA Plan Analysis DAA, DEA & FT Indiv Contract
- Flex/Sections 125 Enrollment Form (optional-applies to all PAKs)
PAK A (formerly PAK E)
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA ABC Plan 2 HDHP $2000/$4000
- Summary of Coverage MESSA ABC $2000/$4000
- MESSA ABC Plan 2 Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 100%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3 G
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, 5000
PAK C
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA Choices PPO $500/$1000
- Summary of Coverage MESSA Choices $500/$1000
- MESSA Choices Medical Plan Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 100%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3 G
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, $5000
- Basic Life Insurance
PAK D
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA ABC Plan 1 HDHP $1400/$2800
- Summary of Coverage MESSA ABC $1400/$2800
- MESSA ABC Plan 1 Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 100%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3 G
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, $5000
- Basic Life Insurance
PAK B election must be made annually during open enrollment to receive cash-in-lieu benefit
CURRENT PLANS - DESPA
- MESSA DESPA Rates 2022
- MESSA Plan Analysis DESPA
- MESSA Benefit Summary Descriptions DESPA
- Flex/Sections 125 Enrollment Form (optional-applies to all PAKs)
PAK A
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA Essentials $375/$750/20%
- Essentials by MESSA Medical Plan Overview $375/$750/20%
- Essentials by MESSA Medical Plan Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 80%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, $4000
- Basic Life Insurance
PAK C
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA Choices PPO $500/$1000
- Summary of Coverage MESSA Choices $500/$1000
- MESSA Choices Plan Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 80%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, $4000
- Basic Life Insurance
PAK D
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA ABC Plan 1 HDHP $1400/$2800
- Summary of Coverage MESSA ABC $1400/$2800
- MESSA ABC Plan 1 Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 80%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, $4000
- Basic Life Insurance
PAK E
- Medical Plan Highlights MESSA ABC Plan 3 HDHP $3500/$7000
- Summary of Coverage MESSA ABC $3500/$7000
- MESSA ABC Plan 3 Coverage Guide
- Dental Plan 80%/80%
- Vision Plan VSP-3
- Group LTD 66 2/3%, $4000
- Basic Life Insurance
PAK B election must be made annually during open enrollment
Current Plans DESPA Kitchen Managers 7hr + & 8hr Para
Current Plans Bus Drivers and Jenkins
- BCBS Bus Driver 2022-2023
- BCBS Jenkins 2022-2023
- BCBS Bus Drivers 2021-2022
- BCBS Jenkins 2021-2022
- BCBS BCN HMO 1300-20 Summary of Benefits
- BCBS Waiver Form (must be completed yearly during open enrollment)
- BCBS New Subscriber Form
- BCBS Change Form
- HSA Enrollment Form - non MESSA groups
- Flex/Section 125 Enrollment Form
Health Savings Accounts
If you enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), such as the MESSA ABC or the BCN Plan, you may be able to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). Like an FSA, an HSA allows you to be reimbursed for health care related expenses (medical, prescription, dental, vision, other health care) through a pre-tax payroll deduction. You may not contribute to an HSA if you are also covered by a Medical Care FSA, per IRS rules.
HSA bank accounts are held at Health Equity. You enroll each year in the MESSA portal during Open Enrollment along with your other health benefit elections.
The maximum election in the 2023 calendar year is $3,850 if you elect single coverage and $7,750 if you elect double or family coverage. If you are 55 or older during the calendar year, your limits for 2023 are $4,850/$8,750.
Any amounts in your HSA account at the end of the calendar year are carried over to the next year and the funds belong to you when you terminate your employment.
HEALTH BENEFIT RATES
New Public School Employees: Choosing Your Retirement Plan
All Other Benefits Info
- 403(B) PLAN/457 PLAN INFORMATION
- 403(b)/457 Plan Monitoring Reports
- PENSION PLAN/MPSERS
- FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
- NOTICES OF RIGHTS
- Staff Discounts
- Compensation and Benefits Summaries
403(B) PLAN/457 PLAN INFORMATION
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for certain employees of public schools, employees of certain tax-exempt organizations, and certain ministers.
A 457 plan is a retirement plan for certain employees of state or local government or a tax-exempt organization under IRC 501(c).
Employees qualify to participate in retirement plans under both plan definitions, therefore an employee can participate in either the 403(b) plan or the 457 plan or both plans. The maximum contribution for the 2023 calendar year is $22,500 per plan. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute up to a total of $30,000
The Standard administers the Dexter Community Schools 403(b) Plan (#807078) & the 457 Plan (#807077). The following information is provided to help you understand the different school retirement plans and to plan for your retirement.
You may access retirement planning tools, set up an account, designate or change the amount you save, select or change your investments, and elect or change your beneficiary online. A representative from The Standard is also available to assist you between 10 am and 8 pm Eastern time at 1-800-858-5420. Alternatively, you may print the forms, complete them, and return them to the Payroll Office.
- Plan Overview & Fee Disclosure 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Funds Lineup 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Beneficiary Designation 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Enrollment Brochure 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Investing Form 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Investor Quiz 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Mainspring Managed Form 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Savings Form 403(b) plan/457 plan
Additional Information
- Adoption Agreement & Amendment 403(b) plan
- Investment Policy 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Loan Program 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Privacy Notice 403(b) plan/457 plan
- Summary Plan Document 403(b)plan/457 plan
Transferring Plans
If you have a 403(b) retirement plan that you contributed to through the Dexter Community School prior to December 31, 2008 that you want to transfer to The Standard, see:
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If you have another retirement plan from a former employer that you want to rollover to The Standard, complete the 403(b) Application for Rollover Form or the 457 Application for Rollover.
403(b)/457 Plan Monitoring Reports
Quarterly Performance Monitoring Reports
- 12/31/2022 Monitoring Report 403(b) & 457
- Fourth Quarter 2022 Investment Review
- 9/30/2022 Monitoring Report 403(b)
- 9/30/2022 Monitoring Report 457
- 6/30/2022 Monitoring Report 403(b)
- 6/30/2022 Monitoring Report 457
- 3/31/2022 Monitoring Report 403 (b)
- 3/31/2022 Monitoring Report 457
- First Quarter 2022 Investment Review
- 12/31/2021 Monitoring Report 403(b)
- 12/31/2021 Monitoring Report 457
- Fourth Quarter 2021 Investment Review
- 9/30/2021 Monitoring Report 403(b)
- 9/30/2021 Monitoring Report 457
- Third Quarter 2021 Investment Review
- 6/30/2021 Monitoring Report 403(b)
- 6/30/2021 Monitoring Report 457
- Second Quarter 2021 Investment Review
- 3/31/2021 Monitoring Report 403(b)
- 3/31/2021 Monitoring Report 457
- First Quarter 2021 Investment Review
PENSION PLAN/MPSERS

Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS)
As an employee of Dexter Community Schools, whether full time, part time, or temporary status, you are a member of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). The District contributes a portion (45.03% for 2022-23) of your salary to fund the pension plan and retiree health care plan. In addition to the District’s contribution, you also contribute a portion of your salary to fund your pension and retiree health care. An overview to help you understand the different retirement plans including your MPSERS and the Dexter Community Schools 403(b)/457 Retirement Savings Plan and how your contributions appear on your paycheck is provided.
As a new public school employee at Dexter Community Schools, you have a decision to make about your future! Please review the information available at PickMiPlan.org to understand your retirement plan options and consider what fits you best.
Employee Retirement Plans
The State of Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS) has a comprehensive website to help you learn about your pension at https://www.michigan.gov/orsschools.
For your MPSERS detailed personal account information visit the State of Michigan ORS website: miAccount. From this secure site you can view your service credit history, change address/phone information, nominate or change a retirement beneficiary, view and print an account statement.
If you have a MPSERS Defined Contribution saving account component as part of your MPSERS retirement plan, you can access your investment account online at https://stateofmivoya.com.
For more information, please contact:
For more information, please contact:
Office of Retirement Services (ORS)
P.O. Box 30171
Lansing, MI 48909-7671
http://www.michigan.gov/ors
Phone: (800) 381-5111
P.O. Box 30171
Lansing, MI 48909-7671
http://www.michigan.gov/ors
Phone: (800) 381-5111
MPSERS Resources
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New Hire Retirement Plan Election Form (for employees first working 9/4/2012 or after)
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ORS Refund Application (for terminated employees who want to withdraw their pension contributions)
IRS Reissue 2012 2013 W-2s Packet (click this link to download full letter and form)
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Please submit all FSA reimbursement requests directly to MESSA OptionAll. Attached is a copy of the reimbursement request forms.
Fillable PDF forms can also be located at: https://www.messa.org/Members/ Forms/OptionALL#.V2BpR_4UVD8.
Reimbursement requests can be faxed or mailed to:
MESSA OptionALL
1475 Kendale Blvd
PO Box 2560
East Lansing, MI 48826-2560
1475 Kendale Blvd
PO Box 2560
East Lansing, MI 48826-2560
For medical reimbursement, an Explanation of Benefits or a receipt is required, showing date of service.
All reimbursements will be processed on the 15th of every month for any claims submitted and approved by MESSA by the end of the previous month. Your reimbursements will be processed through your regular paycheck. Your taxes will not be affected by the FSA reimbursement.
NOTICES OF RIGHTS
Notices of Privacy
- Dexter Community Schools Health Plan
- Harleysville Insurance Group Life
- The Standard 403b/457 Retirement Plan
Other Notices
Staff Discounts
Preferred Local Initiative
Area businesses offer staff discounts to Dexter Community Schools employees. Please present your District-issued picture employee identification card (ID) with current school-year label.
Local Preferences
Board Policy 6320 – Purchasing gives preference to local vendors when the District purchases goods or services. “Whenever goods and services are of comparable quality and cost, qualified local businesses shall be given preference. A qualified local business is defined as one whose principal place of business is located within the geographic boundaries of the school district.”
For questions about Staff Discounts and the Preferred Local Initiative, please contact Human Resources (734) 424-4100 x1012