Office of Human Resources
2025 SUNY ESF Voluntary Separation Program

As such, the College is pleased to offer a one-time, local, ESF State Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) to SUNY ESF New York State, full-time, retirement eligible, employees. It is important to note that this Voluntary Separation Program is but one part of a larger strategy to align SUNY ESF State’s operations, and that the entirety of the plan’s success is contingent on each part working to its fullest possibility.

Eligibility

To participate in the program, interested employees must meet eligibility requirements.

• Full-time employees who are NYS retirement eligible, with at least 10 years full-time NYS service as of August 18, 2025, and in good standing at time of application, may apply for the program.
• Interested employees must participate in a mandatory consultation with Human Resources to receive additional information on the Voluntary Separation Program (e.g.: lump-sum amount, health insurance, dental and vision coverage, sick leave calculation, etc.).
• Eligible employees must complete and submit the Application to Participate Form to Human Resources no later than 12:00 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Pertinent Information

• The President or the campus executive administrator (designee) reserves the right to approve or deny any VSP request.
• Eligibility to participate or the submission of an application does not guarantee approval.
• Full-time employees, on an approved leave (e.g.: Sabbatical, FMLA, etc.), are considered full-time for the purposes of eligibility for this program.
• An employee who has received formal written notice of an involuntary separation from ESF is not eligible to participate.
• Employees who are rehired retirees are not eligible.
• The date used to calculate years of ESF service will be August 18, 2025.
• The lump sum payment for approved participants will be calculated using the employee’s salary as of August 18, 2025.
• Participation in the program is voluntary.
• Approved Voluntary Separation Program participants should assume they will not be rehired by ESF, although in limited circumstances, temporary appointments may be considered to meet short-term critical needs.
• If interest in the VSP exceeds available funds, approval of applicants will be made by the College based on the needs of the College.
• The VSP lump-sum distribution is taxable income from ESF College Foundation, a non-state entity. Participating applicants will be responsible for paying taxes and will receive a 1099.
• Employees who are interested in reviewing their options are encouraged to seek counsel from their tax advisors, retirement system representatives, financial planner, the Social Security Administration, and SUNY ESF’s benefits manager, before deciding to apply to participate. Employees represented by a union also have the right to consult with their union representatives.

Important Dates

August 19, 2025	VSP campus-wide announcement from President, Joanie Mahoney Official launch of program on August 19, 2025 Applications accepted August 19, 2025 – October 24, 2025
August 19, 2025 - October 24, 2025	Individuals are required to meet with Human Resources for a consultation. Human Resources will inform employees regarding the amount of their lump-sum payment and other important information.
August 19, 2025 – October 24, 2025, by 12:00 p.m.	Employees must complete and submit the Application to Participate Form to Human Resources. Please note, employees must have completed the consultation prior to submission of application. Human Resources will forward the application to the President or the campus executive administrator (designee) who will approve or deny it.
November 14, 2025	Employees will be notified, in writing, by the President, or the campus executive administrator (designee), if their submitted application for the VSP has been approved or denied.
No later than COB December 1, 2025	Employees commit to participating in the VSP by providing a signed, irrevocable letter of resignation to be hand delivered to the Human Resources Office. Faculty employees may elect to separate from service effective either: December 26, 2025, or May 20, 2026. Staff without teaching obligations may select a separation date between December 18, 2025, and May 20, 2026.
December 26, 2025 to May 20, 2026	Final dates of employment for approved VSP participants. Note, with approval, employees may resign earlier than the date elected.

 

Financial Benefit

A one-time, lump-sum payment to approved and eligible VSP participants will be made utilizing the formula below, which is based upon years of ESF service and base salary as of 8/18/25:

Years of Full-time ESF Service as of 8/18/25	New York State Retirement Eligible	% of Base Salary as of 8/18/25	Total
$1000/yr of service	Yes	15%	$1000 × ESF service yrs. + 15% of base = Lump Sum Payout

 

Employees are advised to contact Human Resources to discuss VSP eligibility.

Download the Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

All SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) full-time employees who are NYS retirement eligible, with at least 10 years full-time NYS service as of August 18, 2025, and in good standing at time of application, may apply for the program.

I am not sure if I am eligible to participate in this program. How can I obtain additional information?

Contact Human Resources (HR) at 315-470-6613 or via ebrown@esf.edu. HR will verify that you meet the eligibility requirements. If you are eligible, you will receive additional VSP specific information.

Am I required to meet with Human Resources as a condition of participating in the VSP?

Yes, the College wants to ensure that participants are making an informed decision regarding participation.

I am a rehired retiree currently employed by ESF. May I participate in the VSP?

No, this program is not available to employees who have already retired.

When do I need to commit to a separation?

No later than 12 pm on October 24, 2025, you must submit your Application to Participate form to Human Resources in room 216 Bray Hall. By close of business on December 1, 2025, a signed (wet signature), irrevocable letter of resignation must be hand delivered to the Human Resources Office, room 216 Bray Hall.

From which date will my years of eligible State service be calculated?

You must have completed 10 or more full-time years of NYS service as of August 18, 2025, to be eligible for the Voluntary Separation Program.

Will my payout be prorated for a partial year of service?

No, the VSP lump sum payment will be based on full years of ESF service only as of August 18, 2025.

May I use my vacation leave time to carry me to my separation date?

Yes, if operational needs are met, your supervisor may approve the use of vacation and holiday compensatory time (Professional, MC and classified service employees only). Use of accruals does not allow you to extend your employment date beyond December 26, 2025, for the fall semester or May 20, 2026, for the spring semester.

If I am vested in one of the NYS retirement systems (ERS/PFRS, TRS or the Optional Retirement Program), what will I need to do?

• ERS/PFRS: If you are eligible to retire from NYS Employees Retirement System (ERS), or Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS), you will need to complete a service retirement application. This application must be filed with ERS/PFRS at least 15 days, but not more than 90 days, prior to your retirement date. Call (866) 805-0990 for more information regarding the application process and/or your benefits.
• TRS: If you are eligible to retire from the NYS Teachers Retirement System (TRS), you should contact them at (800) 348-7298. You may file a service retirement application up until your effective date of retirement but no sooner than 90 days before your retirement date.
• ORP: If you are eligible to retire through the Optional Retirement Program (e.g.: TIAA, Fidelity, Corebridge Financial or VOYA), you should contact them at:
  • TIAA - Call (866) 662-7945 or contact your individual agent directly.
  • Fidelity - Call (800) 343-0860 or contact your individual agent directly.
  • Corebridge Financial - Call (800) 448-2542 or contact your individual agent directly.
  • VOYA - Call (800) 584-6001 or contact your individual agent directly.

What will happen with my medical insurance should I be approved to participate in the VSP?

If you are age 55 or more with at least 10 years of benefits eligible service and you are currently enrolled in NYSHIP (the NYS Health Insurance Program), you are eligible for the lifetime retiree health insurance benefit (provided your health insurance premiums are kept current). This benefit provides you with the same medical and prescription drug coverage you have as an active employee either with the Empire Plan or an HMO. Your rate will be calculated and discussed with you during the HR consult.

What will happen with my dental and vision benefits should I be approved to participate in the VSP?

Dental and vision benefits, whether they are provided through a union or through NYS, do not continue as a retiree benefit. These benefits end after a 28-day run-out for CSEA-represented members. For MC, PEF, NYSCOPBA, and PBANY said benefits expire after the end of the final pay-period plus 28 days. For UUP-represented employees, their coverage continues through the end of the month following the month they separate. For additional information please contact HR.

What will happen to my Flex Spending Accounts (e.g.: Health Care Spending or Dependent Care) should I be approved to participate in the VSP?

Contact the Flex Spending Account at (800) 358-7202 or go to Flex Spending Account | Office of Employee Relations (ny.gov)

How will I receive my VSP lump-sum payment?

Approved participants, who are notified by the President or President’s designee, will receive a one-time VSP lump-sum payment from the ESF College Foundation. This amount is taxable income and a 1099 will be mailed to you.

May I have the lump-sum VSP payment directly-deposited into an account of my designation?

No. ESF requires that employees personally pick-up their VSP check in the Business Office, room 102 Bray Hall and sign to acknowledge receipt of same.

May I defer a portion of my VSP lump-sum payment?

No.

May I defer a portion of my vacation and lag payment?

No.

When will I receive my VSP lump-sum payment?

Approved participants, by the President or President’s designee, will receive their lump-sum payment no later than thirty (30) days following your separation date.

How will I receive my vacation payout?

Approved participants that accrue vacation will receive payment for accrued and unused vacation up to a maximum of 30 days through a one-time lump-sum payment from SUNY ESF subject to approval by the Office of the State Comptroller. The estimated number of days of vacation to be paid will be provided to approved participants during the mandatory one-on-one consultation with HR. Employees are responsible for ensuring that their attendance record is submitted and approved.

Will the VSP lump-sum payment include SUNY contributions into my ORP account or contributions into my Supplemental Retirement account (“SRA”) or NYS Deferred Comp account?

No.

Can I elect to have contributions into my Supplemental Retirement account (“SRA”) or NYS Deferred Comp account from the VSP lump-sum payment?

No.

Will my VSP lump-sum payment be based on my salary including the stipend, also receive, or extra service I am currently receiving?

No. The VSP lump-sum payment will be calculated based on your base salary as of August 18, 2025.

Will I be eligible for unemployment insurance?

While ESF does not make unemployment eligibility determinations, it is the university’s understanding that an employee who voluntarily separates (e.g.: resign or retire) from their position is not eligible for unemployment insurance.

Who should I contact if I still have questions?

Contact HR at 315-470-6613.