All Classified Service Employees Represented by CSEA

The New York Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) provides health insurance and prescription drug coverage to eligible employees and their dependents. NYSHIP is administered by the New York State Department of Civil Service and has several health plan options to choose from.

DESCRIPTION

• Empire Plan (PPO): 
  Anthem Blue: Hospitalization
  United HealthCare: Major Medical
  Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc: Mental Health/Substance Abuse
  CVS/Caremark, Inc.: Prescriptions
• Multiple Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs):
  Explanation of the options available to you under the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) for your health insurance and other elections can be found on NYSHIP Online
• NYSHIP Health Plan Choices

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Full-time employees with appointments that are expected to last 3 months or longer. 

Part-time employees must work at least half-time (50% or more) on a regularly scheduled basis and be expected to work for at least 3 months.

Seasonal employees working half-time (50% or more) for at least 6 months are eligible and must be on the payroll and receiving a paycheck at the time of enrollment. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
There is a 28-calendar day waiting period. Enroll within 30 days when first newly eligible and coverage is effective on your 29th day of employment.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

• Empire Plan biweekly rates as of 1/1/26:
  Grade 9 & Below:
  Individual:   $65.99 
  Family:        $298.75
  
  Grade 10 & Above:
  Individual:   $87.99 
  Family:        $355.24
• HMO rates vary. Visit NYSHIP Rates 2026 for more information

Dental and vision benefits are available through the CSEA Benefit Trust Fund.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Employees who are at least half-time and eligible to receive health insurance.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
There is a 28-calendar day waiting period. Enroll within 30 days when first newly eligible and coverage is effective on your 29th day of employment.

SUNY RETIREMENT PLAN OPTION*
NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS): Defined benefit plans; benefits are based on best Final Average Salary and years of service.  

*Contribution & vesting details applicable to employees enrolling on or after 4/1/12 (under Tier 6 provisions).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

• Mandatory membership for full-time employees.  
• Membership is optional for part-time or temporary employees, except for employees who have current membership, who must continue to participate, if eligible.   

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?

• Immediately upon enrollment.
• Vested after 5 full-time equivalent years.  
• Membership is generally effective upon receipt of application at ERS for temporary and part-time employees.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
See Employee Contributions at Retirement Plan Comparison Chart.

The NYS Flex Spending Accounts allows eligible employees to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. 

• Childcare, elder care (Dependent Care Advantage Account - DCAA)
• Out-of-pocket (i.e., co-payments) health care expenses (Health Care Spending Account - HCSA)
• Expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child (Adoption Advantage Account – AAA)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Employees receiving regular biweekly paychecks can enroll in DCAA. Employees must be eligible for health insurance to enroll in a HCSA. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
You must enroll within 60 days of the date of appointment as your period of coverage will begin on your 31st consecutive calendar day of employment or the date your enrollment is received, whichever is later. You must enroll within 60 calendar days, inclusive, of your hiring date.

Dependent Care - New employees are immediately eligible for this benefit but must enroll within 60 calendar days of their hire date. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The employee determines the amount to be deducted: for 2026, the HCSA min/max employee contribution is $100/$3,400; the DCAA max employee contribution is $7,500/$3,750 (based on tax filing status); the AAA max employee contribution is $17,670.  

SUNY Contributes to the DCAA based on salary:   

Under $30,000: $1,100    
$30,001-$40,000: $1,000    
$40,001 - $50,000: $900    
$50,001 - $60,000: $800    
$60,001 - $70,000: $700    
over $70,000: $600

Disability and group life insurance are not provided by the University; however, these coverages may be purchased directly through the union. Visit the CSEA website for additional information about available options.

SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan. Current Authorized Investment Providers are: Corebridge, Fidelity, TIAA, and Voya.  

NYS Deferred Compensation 457(b) Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings Plan.  Provider: Nationwide.

Both plans offer pre- and post-tax savings (Roth) options. Employees may choose to participate in either or both plans. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All SUNY employees upon hire.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon employment or any time thereafter. Contributions are flexible and voluntary.  

Note: Enrollment in the 403(b) generally takes one or two pay periods; the 457(b), two to three pay periods. Please verify your paycheck information and contribution amount after you have enrolled.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Employee pre-tax and Roth contributions through salary reduction subject to IRS limits.   For more information, visit: SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan - SUNY Both plans function similarly, but there are a few important key differences. View the 403(b) vs. 457(b) Comparison Chart for more information. 

CSEA TUITION ASSISTANCE

Partial assistance for additional courses through the SUNY Tuition Waiver program (based on funding). Please refer to your campus benefit office for details.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Appointment must cover period of support. Must be at least half-time.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon employment. Differs by campus; check with your campus HR/benefits office.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No cost to the employee. Differs by campus; check with your campus HR/benefits office.

The NYS/CSEA Partnership for Education and Training offers tuition benefits and educational assistance at no cost to eligible CSEA-represented NYS employees if taken at an accredited educational institution. Eligible employees may receive up to $5,000 per program year in standard tuition benefits and up to an additional $2,500 for approved high-demand fields.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM
As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employer.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
New York State will provide 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for executive branch state employees to bond with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All NYS employees who work full-time or at least 50% part-time, after completion of 6 months of service. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon a qualifying event, defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.  PPL is available for use once every 12-month period & must be used on a continuous basis (blocks at a time). 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No cost to the employee.

• Vacation Accruals*:
  • Generally, full-time employees earn at the rate of one-half day per pay period, after the completion of 13 pay periods of employment; bonus days are added each year on vacation anniversary date at the rate of 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 20 days’ vacation per year after 7 years. 
  • Upon completion of 7 years of service, vacation is earned at a rate of 13 days/year for first 7 years then 20 days/year thereafter. Employees also receive bonus days upon completion of 20+ years of service. 
  • Vacation is earned as noted, with completion of 1 to 35 or more years of service. Part-time employees who work a regular schedule of at least half time earn accruals on a pro-rated basis.  Generally, on 4/1 of each fiscal year, accumulated vacation credits in excess of 40 days are forfeited. 
• Sick Leave Accruals*:
  • Full-time employees earn at the rate of one-half day per pay period (13 days/year total), up to an accumulated maximum of 225 days. Part-time employees who work at least half time earn on a pro-rated basis.
• Personal Leave Accruals*:
  • Credited with 5 days of personal leave upon appointment and 5 days each year on personal leave anniversary date. Personal leave is not cumulative and any unused leave remaining at the close of business the day preceding the personal leave anniversary date is cancelled.
• Holidays*:
  • Eligible for up to 13 holidays per year if they fall on a regularly scheduled workday.

*Employees paid on an hourly basis do not qualify for Attendance Rules Coverage (holidays, vacation, sick leave, personal, etc.) until completion of 19 consecutive pay periods at 50% effort.

• Payroll Information: New York State has a two-week lag payroll system; each paycheck pays for the period two-four weeks prior to the check date. First check issued in approximately four weeks.