- Who is eligible for benefits?
- How do I enroll in the Plan?
- Is my family eligible for benefits?
- How much do I have to pay for these benefits?
- As a seasonal employee, am I eligible for benefits?
- When do my benefits stop?
- Can I continue my benefits?
Who is eligible for benefits?
The Massachusetts Public Employees Fund provides benefits to eligible public employees. New employees become eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following the completion of 6 full months of employment. Eligible employees must be regularly scheduled to work at least half-time per week. Eligible City of Boston employees must be regularly scheduled to work twenty or more hours per week
You are eligible if:
- You work for the Commonwealth and are represented by
AFSCME COUNCIL 93 and are in Bargaining Unit 2 or 10; or
- You work for the Commonwealth and are represented by SEIU LOCAL 509 or 888 and are in Bargaining Unit 2, 8 or 10; or
- You work for a State College, Community College or the University of Massachusetts and are represented by AFSCME Council 93, or by SEIU Local 888 or certain MTA Units; or
- You work for the Commonwealth and are represented by the State Police Association of
Massachusetts (SPAM); or
- You work for the Commonwealth and are represented by the Coalition of Public Safety (COPS), Bargaining Unit 5; or
- You work for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and are represented by
AFSCME Council 93, Local 419, Local 3643 and RNs; by Local 3; or by SEIU Local R1-298; or
- You work for the Brookline Housing Authority and are represented by AFSCME Council 93; or
- You work for the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and are represented by the Teamsters Local 404; or
- You work for the Hampshire County Jail and House of Corrections and are represented by the Law Enforcement and Security Union, Division of UFCW, Local 1459; or
- You work for the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds and are represented by AFSCME Local 414; or
- You work for the Middlesex Sheriff's Office and are represented by
Teamsters Local 122; or- You work for the Boston Public School Department and are in one of the following groups:
Cafeteria Workers, Administrative Guild, Headmasters and Principals, Plant Administrators Association, Storekeepers and Store Deliverymen, Prof. Employees in Dept. of Planning and Engineering; Boston School Patrolmen's Assoc.; Boston School Custodians Local 1952; Boston School Police Superior Officers Assoc.; Boston Assoc. of School Administrators and Supervisors; or- You work for the Boston Public Health Commission and are represented by AFSCME Council 93, I.B. Firemen and Oilers, SENA, SEIU Local 888 (Programs, Clerical-Technical, Homeless Services), SEIU-Public Health Nurses/LPN; or
- You work for the City of Boston and are employed in one of the following groups:
SENA, City wide; IBEW; OPEIU; SEIU Local 888, SEIU Elderly; Boston Center for Youth & Families, Dept. of Neighborhood Development; AFSCME Council 93: City-Wide, Local 1526; Public Library Professional Staff Association (PSA); National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; Graphic Arts Bindery Dept.; Graphic Arts Printing; Typographical Union; Public Library Exempt Managers; Mayoral Agencies; Department Heads; Exempt Managers and Lawyers; City Council; Municipal Police; Municipal Police Superior Officers Assoc.; and Painters and Allied Trades Council #35.
Emergency and Seasonal Employees are not eligible.
- You work for the Commonwealth and are represented by SEIU LOCAL 509 or 888 and are in Bargaining Unit 2, 8 or 10; or
CALL THE FUND OFFICE TO VERIFY YOUR ELIGIBILITY IF:
- You transfer from a Bargaining Unit represented by NAGE, MTA/USA or MOSES; or
- You transfer from a management position where you had dental/vision coverage under the GIC Plan; or
- You are on a leave from your employer. Employees on leave may not be eligible for benefits, however they may be entitled to a temporary extension of their coverage; or
- You transfer from a position where you had dental coverage under the Non-Unit Fund Plan.
Click on the icon below for information on how to contact the Fund Office
How do I enroll in the plan?
Eligible members receive an enrollment package from the Fund upon completion of 6 full months of employment. The Fund needs your dental plan choice, a list of your dependents and their birthdates, appropriate documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate(s), stepchild verification, etc.) and your signature for its files. New members who fail to submit an enrollment form by their effective date will be automatically enrolled in the MPE Preferred Provider (Closed) Dental Plan with individual coverage only. No plan changes will be allowed until the next annual Open Enrollment period. Call the Fund Office at (800) 325-5214 if you need an enrollment form.
Is my family eligible for benefits?
The Fund provides benefits to your spouse only if you are legally married under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Upon receipt of written verification the Fund provides benefits to your unmarried natural children, legally adopted children, children for whom you have legal custody and your residential stepchildren (stepchildren who live in your home for at least 50% of the calendar year). Children who meet this definition are eligible for benefits through the last day of the month during which they turn 19.
Your unmarried children who are enrolled as full-time students are eligible for benefits through the last day of the month during which they turn 23. The Fund requires that you submit student verification from the Registrar’s Office of your child’s school for each semester that your child is enrolled as a full-time student. This student proof must be submitted directly to the Fund. Failure to submit the required student verification each semester will result in the denial of your dependent’s claims. Verification forms are available from the Fund or as a pdf form 
Student Verification Form
Your developmentally disabled child is eligible for benefits regardless of age if you submit written documentation from your child’s physician.
You, your spouse or your dependent children must notify the Fund in the event of a divorce, remarriage or change in dependent status.
If you have a question about the eligibility of any of your dependents please call the
Fund Office at (800) 325-5214. All written communication should contain your member identification number.
How much do I have to pay for these benefits?
Your vision and dental plans are funded entirely by employer contributions. Some vision and dental services will, however, require a member co-payment.
As a seasonal employee, am I eligible for benefits?
If you work for the City of Boston as a seasonal employee, you are not eligible for benefits.
If you work for the Commonwealth and are considered a "long term seasonal" as defined by the Fund, you are eligible for benefits beginning the first day of the month after you return to your seasonal position upon completion of six full months of employment. Your eligibility terminates the last day of the month in which you stop working. You and your eligible dependents are entitled to an annual plan maximum that is equal to 50% of the annual plan maximum for non-seasonal eligible employees, excluding orthodontic benefits.
When do my benefits stop?
Your eligibility for benefits ends one month after the last day of the month in which you stop working in a covered Bargaining Unit, unless you are a seasonal employee. Seasonal employees receive benefits only while they are actively working. City of Boston seasonal employees are not eligible for benefits. If you have any questions about your eligibility call the Fund Office at (800) 325-5214.
Can I continue my benefits?
The Fund provides continuation of coverage on a voluntary basis similar to those provided under the Federal law known as COBRA. This allows you and your dependents to temporarily receive benefits from the Fund under certain circumstances, known as "qualifying events", when plan coverage would otherwise terminate. You and/or your dependents must pay the full Continuation Coverage premium. You will be provided with monthly cost information if you become eligible for Continuation Coverage. The benefits which you and/or your dependents receive will be identical to those received by active Fund members.