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General information: Benefits are available to employees working at least 20 hours per week. Employees may enroll in the programs that they choose within the first 30 days of employment, counted from the first day of work. The information on this website is general in nature and is not intended to constitute a summary plan description ("SPD"). If you have specific questions or if you would like to review the SPD for a particular benefit program, please contact someone in Human Resources by phone or e-mail at hr@wellesleyma.gov. Finally, the following is a description of the benefit programs currently offered by the Town of Wellesley. The Town's goal is to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package at all times. However, as is true in most workplaces, the programs listed below are subject to change at any time, at the Town's discretion.
Health insurance: Employees may select either individual or family coverage from among the following plans:
BCBS Network Blue New England |
Fallon Direct Care |
Harvard Pilgrim HMO |
Harvard Pilgrim PPO |
Tufts HMO |
Tufts POS |
Fallon Select Care |
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Detailed information about coverage, premium rates and participating providers is available from the Human Resources Department in Town Hall.
Dental insurance: Dental insurance through BCBS Dental Blue is available at two levels of coverage, basic option and high option. The Town provides basic individual coverage to all employees. Employees may select the high option and/or family coverage at their own cost. Detailed information about coverage, premium rates and participating providers is available from the Human Resources Department in Town Hall.
Life insurance: Term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance is available through the Hartford. The basic plan provides $10,000 of coverage. The Town contributes 50% of the premium for basic coverage. Additional optional coverage in increments of $1,000 up to the employee’s annual salary (maximum of $74,000) is available at the employee’s cost. Rates are based on the employee’s age. Note: there is no open enrollment period for life insurance.
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance: LTD insurance provides income protection if an employee is disabled from working due to an illness or injury that is not related to his or her employment, e.g. not covered by worker’s compensation. The Town provides the basic benefit (option A) of 40% of monthly salary to a maximum of $1,250 per month. Employees may “buy up” to higher levels of coverage: employees whose annual salaries are up to $50,000 may select a 60% benefit to a maximum of $2,500 (option B); and employees whose annual salaries are $50,000 or more may select either option B or option C, which provides a 60% benefit to a maximum of $6,000 per month. Rates are based on the employee’s annual salary. Benefits are subject to a 90-day exclusion period.
Deferred compensation (“457 plan”): Employees may choose to defer a portion of their salaries as part of their prudent financial planning for retirement. Because deductions are taken on a pre-tax basis, the base upon which federal income tax is based is reduced. Employees select and manage their own investment portfolio based on options available through ING, Inc. This program is administered though Benefit Services Inc., which has offices in Wellesley. Note: there is no set enrollment period for this program. Employees may choose to participate in this program at any time, subject to calendar year contribution limits set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code.
Flexible spending accounts: Two voluntary programs allow employees to take advantage of provisions of the IRS Code to pay for certain expenses on a pre-tax basis. Each calendar year, up to $5,000 of dependent care expenses (such as day care) and up to $2,500 (effective 2006) for out-of-pocket medical expenses (including prescription drug, physician visit and dental co-payments, eyeglasses, hearing aids and chiropractic expenses among others) may be paid for out of pre-tax dollars deducted from each paycheck. This program is administered by Cafeteria Plan Advisors (1-800-544-2340). Employees pay a $5 monthly fee to maintain one or both accounts. The calendar year maximum may be changed from year to year within the limits set by the IRS Code.
“529” College Savings Plan: Employees may set up investment accounts with a minimum $50 per month direct deposit for the benefit of a family member, including a child or grandchild. Investments are made with after-tax dollars but grow on a tax-free basis. Employees may choose to participate in this program, operated by Alliance Capital, at any time; there is no set enrollment period. For more information log onto www.corporate.collegeboundfund.com and select "company" as your ID Type; "Wellesley" as your User Name; and "Mass" as your Password.
Credit union: The Wellesley Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union (One Hollis Street, 781-235-0503) offers a variety of financial services to members, including share and money market accounts, auto and personal loans, credit cards and certificates of deposit, with the convenience of direct deposit of all or a portion of employees’ paychecks.
Fitness Center: The Wellesley School Department’s fitness center, located at Wellesley High School, is made available to employees during specified non-school hours. Employees must present clearance from their physicians and go through an orientation by one of the Center employees. Registration is through the Fitness and Health Department at Wellesley Middle School (781) 446-6200 x4518.
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