Trial Court Employee Benefits

The Trial Court offers a competitive benefit package, which features an extensive array of options to consider towards your overall compensation package which include:

• 75% state paid medical insurance
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Assistance Programs
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement - State Employees’ Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) Plan
• 12 Paid holidays per year and competitive sick, vacation and personal time
• Tuition remission program
• Extended Illness leave program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

These benefits are an important part of your total compensation package.

This summary does not create a contract or pending agreement between the Trial Court and any employee or group of employees. The Trial Court reserves the right to change or alter any or all of such plans, policies and procedures described herein and within its jurisdiction at such time as deemed appropriate, consistent with applicable law

The Trial Court is committed to fostering an inclusive and just court system that provides a fair, respectful, and dignified court experience for court users and employees. More information can be found on our Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion homepage.

The Trial Court’s Court Education Department (CourtEd) is to support the administration and delivery of justice by increasing the knowledge, skills, understanding, and capacity of those who work in the Trial Court to successfully carry out our duties and responsibilities, and to treat all individuals with fairness, dignity, and respect. CourtEd provides an array of training and resources to Trial Court employees to develop and deliver professional development, continuing education that is effective, practical, comprehensive, and engaging.

Upon retirement from service with the Massachusetts Trial Court, employees may be entitled to a retirement benefit provided via the State Retirement Board. Employee retirement benefits are provided via a Defined Benefit Plan, which uses a formula to calculate retirement income based on age at retirement, total length of creditable service, and the average of the highest three or five years of annual salary depending on when you entered service.

The MSRB administers the Massachusetts State Employees' Retirement System (MSERS) for state employees and certain other employees of public entities. The MSERS is a contributory defined benefit system governed by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 32. The system provides retirement, disability, survivor, and death benefits to its members and their beneficiaries. More information can be found at the State Board of Retirement website.

Social Security and the Fairness Act

Trial Court employees do NOT contribute to Social Security. Earnings from Commonwealth employment are not covered under Social Security. Upon implementation, the Act eliminates the reduction of Social Security benefits while entitled to public pensions from work not covered by Social Security. Social Security is a Federal benefit that has nothing to do with State pension benefits. This change in federal law will not impact Massachusetts state, municipal, city, or town pension benefits.

More information can be found on the Social Security website.

Massachusetts Deferred Compensation 457 SMART Plan

The Massachusetts Deferred Compensation 457 SMART Plan is the retirement savings program available for Massachusetts Trial Court employees. Eligible employees can save and invest before-tax and after-tax dollars through salary deferrals into a wide array of low fee investment options. More information can be found on the SMART Plan website.

The Trial Court offers various health insurance plan options as well as Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC).

Health Insurance Plans

The Group Insurance Commission homepage will guide you through the benefit options.

GIC Dental and Vision Insurance Plans

MetLife is the carrier for the dental portion, and Davis Vision is the vision provider for the vision portion of the GIC Dental/Vision Plan. The GIC Dental and Vision plan page will guide you through the plan options.

GIC Dental and Vision Insurance Plans

MetLife is the carrier for the dental portion, and Davis Vision is the vision provider for the vision portion for employees who are UNION EXEMPT. The GIC Dental and Vision plan page will guide you through the plan options.

OPEIU Local 6

Delta Dental is the carrier for the dental portion and Davis Vision is the vision provider for the vision portion for employees who are in OPEIU Local 6.

NAGE

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the carrier for the dental portion, and Davis Vision is the vision provider for the vision portion for employees who are in the NAGE Union (National Association of Government Employees - Service Employees International Union).

Flex Spending Accounts (FSA)

The Trial Court offers Flexible Spending Accounts through Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC). New hires are eligible to enroll within 21 days of hire date.

To learn more about Health Care and Dependent Care FSA’s, please click on the link below for more information.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Employee Assistance Program (Mass4YOU)

Through the Employee Assistance Program (Mass4You), GIC benefits-eligible employees and their families have access to a comprehensive suite of resources and the confidential support needed to achieve better work/life balance, including:

• Three in-person or Tele-EAP (virtual) counseling visits per issue per year – no cost
• 30-minute telephonic or in-person legal consultation per issue per year – no cost
• 30-minute telephonic or in-person mediation consultation per issue per year – no cost
• Three financial well-being visits (with no time limit) – no cost
• Discounted rates for ongoing legal, financial and mediation services
• Work/life qualified referrals, such as childcare, elder care, pet care, identity theft and many others

Phone: Call their 24/7 dedicated line at (844) 263-1982
Web: Visit the Live & Work Well (LAWW) website - (search for benefits provided through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts GIC)

The TransitMatch benefit provides eligible Commonwealth employees a 50% reimbursement of qualified transit expenses to commute to and from work (up to a $150 per month reimbursement). The card can then be used to purchase transit tickets or passes either online or in person. Eligible for the TransitMatch benefit, employees will receive a 50% reimbursement (up to a $150 monthly reimbursement) in the same paycheck as their funding contribution.

Federal and State Maximum contributions:

• Federal – $325 for both Transit and Parking monthly
• Massachusetts – $325 for both Transit and Parking monthly

Active participants will be reimbursed the monthly $1.50 administrative fee charged to fund the program.

Note: Reimbursement is for transit only, not parking. 

Eligible employees can enroll online using the Voya enrollment form specifying their total monthly transit expenses.

For more information, visitread the TransitMatch Frequently Asked Questions or contact Voya via email or by phone at 1-877-353-9442.

Trial Court employees are eligible for a variety of paid and unpaid time from work. Waiting periods may apply. Benefits may vary depending on whether you are a bargaining unit, or confidential employee, or a manager.

• Family and Medical Leave Options (FMLA and PFML)
• Sick Leave and Extended Illness Leave Bank (EILB)
• Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave (MEPSL)
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Policy
• Holiday, Personal, and Vacation Leave
• Military Leave
• Leave for Jury Duty, Voting, and Court Appearances
• Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking
• Other Leave: Bereavement, Inclement Weather, and Small Necessities

This manual provides direction, guidance, and general statements of policy and procedure to employees of the Trial Court. 

Certain Trial Court employees are represented by Collective Bargaining Agreements negotiated by the Trial Court. Depending on position, the Trial Court has Collective Bargaining Agreements with OPEIU Local 6 and NAGE.

New employees are subject to a probationary period of 9 months. The use of accrued, paid vacation leave during a probationary period requires the approval of the employee’s immediate manager.

The Trial Court observes 12 paid holidays yearly. For a complete list, view the Trial Court legal holiday schedule.

Employee Self-Service

Trial Court Employees are required to enter weekly timesheets. Trial Court employees are paid biweekly, via direct deposit with 26 pay periods in the calendar year. By using the Employee Service portal, employees are able to view pay advices, update their personal information and more.

Medicare Tax

All state employees hired on or after April 1, 1986, are obliged to participate Medicare health coverage and are required to pay the Medicare portion of the Social Security tax.

Courtyard is the Trial Court’s internal communications platform. Trial Court employees can access policies, information about benefits and other resources. Courtyard is a one stop shop for all things work related to the Trial Court’s organization. Employees can visit the Courtyard intranet for a complete overview of the organization.

Full-time permanent employees who have completed their probationary periods, and their spouses, may enroll in any State institution of higher education, excluding the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and receive remission of part or full tuition for enrollment in a degree program or a continuing education program depending on the policies of the individual college. Approvals are requested through the Human Resources Department.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is a United States government program that was created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 to provide indebted professionals a way out of their federal student loan debt burden by working full-time in public service. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. More information can be found on the Federal Student Aid website on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program page.

Employees and their families are eligible to join the Metro Credit Union. This financial service offers employees a complete array of convenient comprehensive services, including automotive and consumer loans. Please visit the Metro Credit Union website for more information.