Benefits Bulletin Board
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2022 Waiver of Holiday Compensation Election for CSEA, NYSCOBA, PBANYS |
The collective bargaining agreements between the State and CSEA,NYSCOPBA, and PBANYS, allow employee waiver of holiday compensation. Consequently, between April 2 and May 15, 2022 employees should notify the payroll office in writing, using the attached form, if they elect to waive holiday compensation and choose to receive instead compensatory time off for holidays worked. The waiver will remain in effect until at least April 1, 2023. Employees may also elect to revoke any waiver of holiday compensation now in effect by filing the attached form with the payroll office by May 1, 2022. |
03/16/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
America Saves Week (ASW) is Monday, February 21, 2022 through Friday, February 25, 2022! |
Monday, February 22 – Save Automatically Voya has provided the blog post Six Ways to Organize Your Bills and video Savings Strategies AIG offers a Savings Journey digital brochure, featuring a short video for each themed day of ASW. Tuesday, February 23 - Save of the Unexpected Voya has provided the blog post How to Build Your Emergency Fund and video Establishing an Emergency Fund. Fidelity offers several thematic webinars (login required) and Save for the Unexpected and Rainy Day Fund flyers (.ppt and .pdf, with link to login) for this day. AIG offers a Savings Journey digital brochure, featuring a short video for each themed day of ASW. TIAA offers the web pages Prepare for the Unexpected and Building an Emergency Fund Wednesday, February 24 - Save to Retire Voya has provided the blog post Five Key Considerations to Craft Your Retirement Plan and videos Retirement Planning if You're Over 40 and Retirement Planning if You're Under 40 Fidelity offers several thematic webinars (login required) and Make the Most of Your Retirement and ASW Starting Early flyers (with link to login) for this day AIG offers a Savings Journey digital brochure, featuring a short video for each themed day of ASW TIAA Offers the flyers Your Financial Goal Planner, Saving Early Has Benefits, and Is Your Financial Future Worth 1%? about setting a long-term financial goal, as well as the video Savings Strategies for the Future and recorded webinar The Starting Line Thursday, February 25 - Save by Reducing Debt Voya has provided the blog post How to Flip the Debt Snowball: Strategy to Build Emergency Savings Fund Fast and video Prioritizing Debt Fidelity offers several thematic webinars (login required) for this day. AIG offers a Savings Journey digital brochure, featuring a short video for each themed day of ASW TIAA offers the videos Paying Down Credit Card Debt and Paying Down Non-revolving Debt, and the recorded webinar Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt Friday, February 26 - Save as a Family Voya has provided the blog post Should Parents Co-sign Student Loans and Financial Literacy flyer Fidelity offers several thematic webinars (login required) for this day. AIG offers a Savings Journey digital brochure, featuring a short video for each themed day of ASW TIAA offers the articles Teaching Kids About Money, Crazy or Cozy: Deciding Whether to Move Closer to Your Family, and How to Save Money on a Child's Wedding |
02/03/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training is pleased to announce the spring 2022 Skills for Success program |
The NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training is pleased to announce the spring 2022 Skills for Success program. Live, instructor-led courses and webinars provide CSEA-represented employees with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to meet their personal and professional development goals. Attached is the Skills for Success catalog containing course and webinar descriptions, dates, and start and end times. There are 35 courses and webinars scheduled from February through May 2022. https://www.nyscseapartnership.org/ CSEA-represented employees are encouraged to take advantage of these valuable training opportunities. Employees may enroll through the Statewide Learning Management System or by completing the Partnership’s application form located in the catalog. |
01/31/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Education Basics (AEB) Program—Spring 2022 |
The NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training is pleased to announce the Adult Education Basics (AEB) Program—Spring 2022 Online Courses: Math Refresher 1 and Effective Reading Skills 1. Courses will be delivered via Canvas, a web-based learning management system. Canvas enables instructors to present online learning materials and assess student learning. It also enables students to engage in courses and receive feedback about skill development and learning achievement. All employees must receive supervisory approval to attend courses without charge to leave credits unless the courses are held on the employee’s pass day. The application deadline for Math Refresher 1 is February 11, 2022. The application deadline for Effective Reading Skills 1 is April 1, 2022. Please encourage employees to register soon because classes fill quickly. For further information about the AEB Program, please visit www.nyscseapartnership.org |
01/31/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
GOER has announced two important updates to the Flexible Spending Accounts: |
Health Care Spending Account Carryover for Plan Year 2021 Employees will now be able to use up to $550 of monies remaining in their 2021 Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) towards eligible expenses incurred during the 2022 calendar year. Employees must be enrolled as of December 31, 2021 for carryover to occur. The last day to submit claims is March 31, 2023. Dependent Care Advantage Account Grace Period Extended The grace period for the 2020 Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) plan year has been extended. The 2020 plan year now covers expenses incurred between January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021. Employees may seek reimbursement for children who turned 13 during the 2020 plan year. The last day to submit DCAA claims is January 31, 2022 for expenses incurred January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021 from 2020 DCAAs. State employees may e-mail fsa@goer.ny.gov or call WageWorks/Health Equity at 1-800-358-7202 for information. |
12/22/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The 2022 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) UUP/MC13 Employees |
PEP allows eligible employees to exchange previously accrued annual leave (vacation) for a credit to be applied toward their employee share of NYSHIP premiums on a biweekly basis. Eligible full-time employees who enroll in PEP for 2022 will forfeit annual leave at the time of enrollment in return for a credit to be applied toward the employee-share of their NYSHIP premiums, in accordance with PEP guidelines for their employment group (e.g., MC13, UUP). Eligible part-time employees who enroll in PEP will forfeit annual leave in accordance with PEP guidelines for their employment group. In no case can the credit available under the program be applied to the employer share of NYSHIP premiums. The enrollment period for the 2022 PEP program runs from Monday, November 1, 2021 through Friday, November 26, 2021. The completed election form must be filed with Human Resource's Office by the close of business on November 26, 2021. |
11/02/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The 2022 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) CSEA/MC/DC37/ Classified Employees |
The Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) for 2022 allows eligible CSEA-represented, DC37-represented, and Management/Confidential (M/C) employees in the Executive branch to exchange previously accrued annual leave (vacation) and/or personal leave in return for a credit to be applied toward their employee share of NYSHIP premiums on a biweekly basis. The enrollment period for the 2022 PEP program runs from Monday, November 1, 2021 through Friday November 26, 2021. The completed election form must be filed with Human Resource's Office by the close of business on November 26, 2021. |
10/29/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
My New York State Health Insurance Program (MyNYSHIP) |
My New York State Health Insurance Program (MyNYSHIP) is the online source to your personal enrollment record as a participant in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). Once you have registered with MyNYSHIP, you can:
In addition to being able to view your personal and enrollment information, once you enter your Activation Code, you can also:
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10/21/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Flex Spending Account: THIS APPLIES TO NYS EMPLOYEES ONLY. | The Flex Spending Account (FSA) is a state employee benefit that saves you money by allowing you to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. Under this program, you can choose from three different benefits:
Open enrollment will run from November 2, 2021 to November 29, 2021 at 10:00 p.m. In addition to the informational flyer, a more detailed brochure and the 2021 FSA enrollment book will be available on the GOER website. You may also visit the Flex Spending Account website at www.flexspend.ny.gov to view program details online and the enrollment process. You may also call the FSA Hotline at 1-800-358-7202 for more information, where customer service representatives are ready to assist you, or you can email fsa@goer.ny.gov. Enroll Online HERE |
10/14/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Health Insurance Choices | Important Information and Upcoming Dates Poster |
10/6/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2021 Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) Open Enrollment for NY STATE GRADUATE ASSISTANTS (GSEU) | The 2021 Open Enrollment period for the Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) will run from Monday, August 23, 2021 through Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Eligible employees have the following options for enrolling in SEHP:
The Open Enrollment period provides employees who were eligible for SEHP last year but chose not to enroll, an opportunity to enroll now, without the 30-day waiting period otherwise required for late enrollment. 2021 premium rates for SEHP are available here. Introductory SEHP information, including the SEHP Summary of Benefits and Coverage, is accessible via the SUNY Benefits Health Insurance Programs web page. |
9/10/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Peloton membership | This offer is now live. Peloton has a dedicated FAQ page to cover a variety of common questions. As a reminder you can check to see if you are eligible here. UnitedHealthcare announced that they are teaming up with Peloton to offer a free year worth of Peloton membership to people who have “select” UnitedHealthcare insurance plans. |
9/8/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Premium Rate for Paid Family Leave Benefits and Maximum Employee Contribution for Coverage Beginning January 1, 2022 | Dept of Financial Services has determined that the premium rate for Paid Family Leave benefits for coverage beginning January 1, 2022 shall total 0.511% of an employee's wages each pay period up to and not to exceed an annual maximum employee contribution of $423.71. If an employee's contributions reach the annual maximum employee contribution of $423.71 before the end of the calendar year, the employee shall not be liable for any additional contributions for that year. |
9/2/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The 2021 Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) Modification | The 2021 Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) has been modified to include two changes allowed by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Employees who are already enrolled in the benefit will be notified of these changes directly by WageWorks/Health Equity. State employees can change their election amount by submitting a change in status online at https://goer.ny.gov/change-status or by calling a customer service representative at 800-358-7202. State Employees can email fsa@goer.ny.gov or call WageWorks/Health Equity at 1-800-358-7202 to learn more about the DCAA and these new changes. |
8/19/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SUNY 403(b) Deferral Election Window | As you may be aware, deferred raises for various employee groups will be paid according to a schedule below in the coming weeks and months. The schedule allows employees the ability to defer compensation to the SUNY 403(b) program and/or the NYS Deferred Compensation Program (NYSDCP), ahead of the payment dates. Below is the schedule of upcoming raise payments, along with the respective deferral election windows for the SUNY 403(b) program.
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6/23/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SUNY Discounts* | Members of the SUNY family may be eligible for group discounts and offers from a variety of vendors, merchants, and providers. The following information outlines a few of these discount programs. https://www.suny.edu/benefits/discounts/ |
5/12/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
NYS Deferred Compensation Plan | The Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement savings program, created by Federal and state law, enabling public employees to defer a portion of their gross pay. The following provides an overview of the plan: NYS Deferred Compensation Plan. For greater detail on the Plan and its benefits, visit the Plan Website at www.nysdcp.com or call the Plan HELPLINE at 1-800-422-8463. |
5/3/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-Retirement Planning | For Pre-Retirement Planning check out the following link: Pre-Retirement Planning. Also, when you are ready to retire, contact Ellen Brown in Human Resources. |
5/3/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2021 Waiver of Holiday Compensation Election for UUP | The collective bargaining agreement between the State and UUP, allows employees to waive holiday compensation for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. To elect to make a change to your current election (waive holiday pay or receive compensatory time off for holidays worked), please fill out the UUP Waiver of Compensatory Time for Holiday Work form and return this waiver to the Payroll office at statepayroll@esf.edu, no later than May 17, 2021. The waiver will remain in effect until at least April 2, 2022. |
4/7/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
NY State Teachers Retirement System (NYSTRS) | Members can now have video consultations with a NYSTRS representative using their own personal electronic device: personal computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The choice is yours!
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3/15/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
"Flex Spending Account" 2020 Claims | NYS employees who contributed to a "Flex Spending Account" (FSA) in 2019, that you must submit all unpaid claims on or by March 31, 2021 for all qualifying expenses incurred by December 31, 2020. If you fail to submit appropriate receipts for any unused funds, by the March deadline date, you will forfeit such contributions and will not receive reimbursement or credit. To avoid the rush for reimbursement, please mail your 2020 FSA claims along with your receipts to: WageWorks, PO BOX 14766, Lexington, KY 40512-4766 or Fax: (800) 743-3271 Submit Online: www.myFBMC.com To download claim forms or other documents, please go to https://goer.ny.gov/program-information#claims-process (for Health Care Spending and Dependent Care). |
3/1/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Expanded Family and Medical Leave | As a result of recently enacted federal law, beginning April 1, 2020, every New York State employee, regardless of Attendance Rules coverage and bargaining unit, will be eligible for up to two weeks of paid sick leave if unable to work or work from home because the employee: Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (FEPSLA)
Benefits:
FEPSLA leave does not carry over and expires on December 31, 2020. Federal Emergency Expanded Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) In addition to the leave described above, New York State employees who have been employed for at least 30 days prior to their request for leave may be eligible for EFMLA. Eligible employees are entitled to 12 work weeks of public health emergency leave from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. For more information please contact Ellen Brown at 315-470-6613 or at ebrown@esf.edu. |
12/2/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The 2021 NYSHIP Option Transfer Period 11/3-/2020 - 12/31/2020 | During this period, employees enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) may change their NYSHIP coverage status and/or NYSHIP plan option for the 2021 plan year, change participation status in the Pre-Tax Contribution Program (without a qualifying event), and enroll in Young Adult Option (YAO) coverage for children up to age 30 who no longer qualify for dependent-status NYSHIP coverage. Please see the links below for NYSHIP information, plan options, and employee share premium rates for 2021:
The Opt-out Program allows eligible employees who have other employer-sponsored group health insurance, to opt out of their NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an annual incentive payment of $1,000 for waiving individual coverage, or $3,000 for waiving family coverage. For eligibility and additional program information, see the 2021 NYSHIP Choices booklet. To enroll in the Opt-out Program, complete and submit the following forms to HR/Benefits office by Thursday, December 31, 2020: The Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) allows enrollees to have their health insurance premium deducted from wages before taxes are withheld, which may lower their taxes. Enrollment also restricts changes that can be made to the NYSHIP coverage (e.g., cancelling or switching to individual coverage) to situations in which a qualifying event takes place. Not enrolling in PTCP offers no tax benefit, but allows greater flexibility to make changes to NYSHIP coverage through the plan year. For additional information, see the 2021 NYSHIP Choices booklet. Option Transfer and PTCP changes can be requested either online or via a completed NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PS-404) submitted to HR/Benefits office, no later than Thursday, December 31, 2020. |
11/30 -12/31 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The State University of New York Voluntary Savings Plan 2021 UNIVERSAL AVAILABILITY NOTICE |
The State University of New York ("SUNY") provides employees with the opportunity to save for their retirement through the SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan (the "Plan"). Participation in the SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan is a great way to build your retirement savings through pre-tax and/or post-tax payroll deduction contributions. |
10/28/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2021 Cost of Living Adjustment |
On October 26, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2020-79: The 2021 dollar limits are attached. |
10/26/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYEES: Time allowed employees to vote on Election |
N.Y. ELECTION LAW SECTION 3-110I STATES THAT:
* Employers: Not less than ten working days before any Election Day, every employer shall post conspicuously in the place of work where it can be seen as employees come or go to their place of work, a notice setting forth the provisions of this law. Such notice shall be kept posted until the close of the polls on Election Day. https://www.cs.ny.gov/attendance_leave/TimeOffToVoteNotice.pdf |
10/20/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Health Insurance Premium Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) |
Under IRS rules, health insurance changes which result in corresponding changes in pre–tax contributions may be made only under specific circumstances. All changes made after a “change in status event” must be requested within 30 days of the event to qualify for a change in the pre–tax deduction. The only exception to this is newly hired or newly benefits–eligible employees, who have a 42– or 56–day New Hire Waiting Period to make this election. All changes made after these allowable time frames will not qualify for the PTCP and will result in a late enrollment period of five payroll periods. |
10/05/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Important Information & Dates |
November 2–30, 2020: Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP)* For eligible New York State employees who are Management/Confidential or represented by CSEA, DC–37 or UUP; Legislature and Unified Court System (UCS) November 2–30, 2020: Flex Spending Account (FSA) For eligible employees of the State of New York Executive Branch who are Management/Confidential or represented by CSEA, Council 82, DC-37, NYSCOPBA, PBA, PBANYS, PEF, PIA or UUP; Legislature and UCS Reminders: The Pre–Tax Contribution Program Election Period and the Option Transfer Period now run concurrently. It is no longer necessary to reenroll in the Opt–out Program each year. The NYSHIP Rates & Deadlines for 2021 have not yet been announced. Please watch for additional details and instructions. |
10/05/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
TIAA Retirement Services |
TIAA Retirement Services are presently offering discussions via conference calls or virtually. Darryl Fiasconaro the TIAA representative plans to offer several meetings monthly. RSVP today, as space is limited. Register by visiting www.TIAA.org/schedulenow or calling 800-732-8353, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). |
6/8/2020 |
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AIG Retirement Services |
AIG Retirement Services are presently offering discussions via phone, facetime or WebEx. Janet Lake the AIG representative plans to offer meetings, at your convenience monthly. Below are links to register for an appointment, attend webinars and instructions on how to join a WebEx meeting. You may contact Janet directly at 518-727-8538 or 518-783-6464 or janet.lake@aig.com.
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5/29/2020 |
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The Empire Plan's new telehealth benefit to help access health care services remotely. |
The Empire Plan is doing all they can to support its enrollees through this unprecedented time and has introduced a new telehealth benefit to help them access health care services remotely. LiveHealth Online lets enrollees stay home and have a video visit with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist on their smartphone, tablet or personal computer. If enrollees are concerned about leaving their homes to receive medical care or their ability to access care, The Empire Plan will cover telehealth visits at no cost. See the attachment for additional information and step-by-step instructions to register or enrollees who are already registered can login to www.empireblue.com/nys to get a coupon code to cover the full cost of their LiveHealth Online visit. For additional assistance, enrollees should be encouraged to call The Empire Plan at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and select option 2 for the Hospital Program. Note: A postcard regarding this new benefit will also be mailed to enrollees in the coming week. |
3/26/2020 |
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VOYA Retirement Contact: |
Keeping cool may be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It may be useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. The links below discusses methods investors may wish to use to prevent themselves from making hasty decisions that could have a long-term impact on their ability to achieve financial goals. Coronavirus Concern (PDF) Stay the Course (PDF) Weathering the Storm (PDF) |
3/23/2020 |