AFSA provides up to $25,000 of coverage for defense costs associated with denial of constitutional rights, “failure to educate” and criminal charges arising from school activities, when regular members in good standing are named as parties or defendants, provided that there is complete exoneration of the criminal charges. The plan also provides up to $25,000 to cover defense costs for criminal proceedings when named as parties or defendants resulting from corporal punishment, regardless of outcome, and up to $5,000 of punitive damages.
+Retiree Members Not Eligible *Associate Members Not Eligible
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
AFSA member benefits are additional benefits that are provided to you and your local and supplement the benefits your local has achieved through the collective bargaining process. AFSA does not administer or bargain your local’s contract benefits such as pensions, health care or dental coverage, welfare funds, etc. All inquiries concerning these benefits should be directed to your local. AFSA member benefits are composed of AFSA Member Direct Benefits (includes the AFSA Legal Action Trust), AFSA Member Group Insurance Benefits and Union Plus. AFSA Member Direct Benefits and the AFSA Legal Action Trust are services of the American Federation of School Administrators and are available to AFSA members in good standing. To be in good standing, a member must hold an AFSA membership for two uninterrupted years or the length of their local’s affiliation, whichever is less. Benefits are subject to change without notice.
AFSA optional benefits are provided to AFSA members by third parties and may require additional fees for participation. Eligibility for AFSA optional benefits requires that a member be in good standing in order to participate. AFSA and/or its benefit providers reserve the right to discontinue benefit coverage to members who are not in good standing.
AFSA’s inclusion of these optional benefits does not constitute a representation or recommendation that each optional benefit is appropriate for every AFSA member. Before purchasing such benefits, each member should consult with his/her own legal, financial or insurance adviser. When a member purchases an optional benefit, that is a contractual agreement between the member and the third-party provider; AFSA is not a party and will not be liable for any errors or omissions of the provider.
THE AFSA LEGAL ACTION TRUST
1. Enrollment for AFSA Legal Action Trust, Educators Professional Liability, Accidental Death and Total Disability benefits is automatic for all AFSA members in good standing.
2. AFSA Legal Action Trust’s Total Disability plan has a maximum lifetime benefit of $15,000 per member and begins the fifth month after the onset of the disability. Benefits continue as long as the member remains totally disabled, turns 65 or reaches the maximum benefit payable, whichever comes first. This benefit is offset by the monthly amounts payable from any/all other sources.
3. AFSA Legal Action Trust’s legal benefit covers defense costs associated with the denial of constitutional rights, “failure to educate” and criminal charges arising from school activities, provided there is complete exoneration of the criminal charges. However, if the criminal proceedings result from corporal punishment, the reimbursement of defense costs up to $25,000 will be made regardless of outcome. AFSA must be notified prior to a member incurring legal costs for this benefit.
4. AFSA Legal Action Trust’s Accidental Death benefits will be paid provided that AFSA has a signed beneficiary form on file and claimants provide a death certificate stating the cause of death to be accidental death.
5. Regardless of the number of claims made or charges brought, the trust’s liability for defense costs shall not exceed $25,000 to any one member per claim and/or per year.
6. AFSA Legal Action Trust’s aggregate annual maximum is $75,000 for total member benefits paid.
7. Retired members receive all the benefits of regular members with the exception of Educators Professional Liability, Legal Action Trust and any other plan that has age restrictions that the member does not qualify for due to age.
8. Associate members receive these benefits of regular membership:
Educators Professional Liability, Optional Group Insurance Plans and Union Plus benefits. Associate members do not receive AFSA Legal Action Trust, AFSA Accidental Death or AFSA Total Disability. Direct legal aid is provided to associate members for contract- or employment-related issues, but is limited to phone and/or written consultation.
Please note: Benefits are subject to change without notice.
