Employee Benefits

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2026-2027

ALL FORMS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED TO HUMAN RESOURCES BY NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026.

Visit the Employee Benefits Website:

www.westfordma.gov/274/Human-Resources

Select Employee Benefits. The website will be updated as enrollment forms, benefit information, premium rates, and benefit summaries become available.

PREMIUM CHANGES

**NEW** Insurance Rates for 2026 - 2027

Premium changes effective 11/1/2026 are as follows:

Permanent employees who work 20 or more hours per week are benefit eligible.

IMPORTANT

Insurance Rate Increases:

Health Insurance (BCBS) & Dental Insurance (MetLife)
- BCBS HMO and PPO plans: Premiums will increase by 5.8%
- MetLife Dental Insurance: Premium will increase by 8%

There are no plan design changes at this time.

If you have no changes and do not want to pick up or drop any coverage, no action is needed to continue your current insurance coverage.

Flexible spending accounts require annual enrollment.
Dental insurance, vision coverage, and accident insurance can only be canceled during open enrollment.

ADD/CHANGE COVERAGE

IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT/CHANGE FORM SUBMITTAL INFORMATION:

Completed forms can be submitted by:

Scan to email: openenrollment-school@westfordk12.us.
- ** Please include in the subject line: Open Enrollment - Last name, First name **
Interoffice Mail: Forms may also be sent via interoffice mail to Human Resources at Central Office/Millennium.

For more information on coverages please visit the Town of Westford Employee Benefits page [LINK]

Dental & Vision Can Only Be Canceled During Open Enrollment

CANCEL COVERAGE

TO CANCEL YOUR EXISTING COVERAGE:

Fill out the applicable coverage enrollment form and write on the top, "Cancel effective 11/01/2026", sign, date and submit to Human Resources via:

Scan to: openenrollment-school@westford k12.us
Interoffice mail
Deliver in person to Human Resources at Central Office

** PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ON CANCELATION FORMS **

View full plan options and summaries and find enrollment forms.

Employee Benefits Page

Review current premium costs and district contributions.

Insurance Rates for 2025 - 2026

**NEW** Insurance Rates for 2026 - 2027

Notice: Access the required state-mandated coverage information.

Massachusetts Health Connector

Please review the information available, and if you still have questions, contact Human Resources. We look forward to assisting you.

To ensure the appropriate staff member is available to help when you arrive, please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Main Office: 978-692-5560 (Select Option 1, then Option 3)

Planning for Retirement

Thinking of Retiring?
Information on Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Which Retirement System applies to me?

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS): For Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, and Administrators.
Middlesex County Retirement System (MCRS): For Paraprofessionals, Custodians, Administrative Assistants, Food Service, and Maintenance staff.
OBRA: For part-time, seasonal, or temporary employees (including Substitutes) who do not qualify for MTRS or MCRS.

OBRA (Retirement Savings): Part-time employees in Massachusetts do not pay into Social Security. Instead, 7.5% of earnings goes into a mandatory retirement account called OBRA. This is your money; you can track your balance or roll it over if you leave the district by registering at mass-smart.com.

Key Features:

It’s Your Money: This is a personal savings account in your name, not a tax.
Portability: If you leave the district, you can take your balance with you, cash it out (subject to taxes), or roll it into an IRA.
Tax-Deferred: Your contributions are made pre-tax, reducing your current taxable income.

Manage Your Account: Visit mass-smart.com to track your balance or update your beneficiaries.

First-time users: Click "Register" and use your SSN and Zip Code to set up your profile.

Ready to Retire? The Internal Process

When you have officially decided on a retirement date, please follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition:

Submit Written Notice: Provide a formal letter of intent to retire to the Superintendent of Schools.
Contact Your Board: File your official retirement application with either MTRS or Middlesex County.
Schedule an HR Meeting: Contact Westford HR to discuss the transition of your health insurance and other benefits into retirement.

Helpful Benefits

The "3-Month Rule":

Medicare Requirements (The "65 Rule"):

Retirees must enroll in Medicare Part A and B once they reach 65 to remain eligible for town supplemental plans.

Note: Medicare Part B premiums are not deducted from the pension check.

Under age 65

Over age 65

Medical Insurance Continuity:

The Social Security/Medicare Step:

MTRS "Part 2" Detail:

Retiree Life Insurance:

Information on Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Your future matters. Westford Public Schools is proud to offer robust retirement and deferred compensation pathways to help you build long-term financial security. Explore our 403(b) and 457(b) savings options below to find the plan that best fits your personal goals and start investing in your tomorrow.

Deferred Compensation

403(b)
457(b)

403(b)

Tax Deferred 403(b) - School Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Information

A 403(b) is a tax deferred retirement savings plan available to school employees. To participate, open an account with one of the approved providers on the authorized investment provider list. Once your account is established, submit your completed 403(b) Salary Reduction Agreement to TSACG, our third-party plan administrator. The Human Resources department will work with TSACG to process your payroll deductions accordingly.

Annual Retirement Benefits Guide TSA 403(b) Plan Summary TSA 403(b) Plan Participation Guide TSA 403(b) Plan Providers TSA 403(b) Salary Reduction Agreement TSA 403(b) Online Salary Reduction Agreement Instructions TSA Consulting Group's Website

457(b)

457(b) MA Deferred Compensation Plan Information

The 457(b) SMART Plan is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan available to Massachusetts public employees. Similar to a 403(b), it allows you to invest for the future through automatic payroll deductions. To participate, you must enroll through the Empower Retirement portal or with a local SMART Plan representative. Once enrolled, the Human Resources department will coordinate with the plan administrator to process your contributions according to the state’s guidelines.

MA Deferred Compensation SMART Plan Information

457B Enrollment Form

Simplified Enrollment form

Beneficiary Designation

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