Graduate Student Employees Represented by GSEU

The New York Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) for Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) provides health insurance and prescription drug coverage to eligible graduate student employees and their covered dependents through its own unique health insurance plan. SEHP is administered by the New York State Department of Civil Service. 

DESCRIPTION

• Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP)
  Anthem Blue: Hospitalization
  United HealthCare: Major Medical

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Graduate Assistants must have at least a half assistantship and be employed on a stipend that would yield a total compensation of at least $4,293 on an annual basis. They must also be expected to work at least 6 consecutive biweekly pay periods.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Coverage becomes effective on the date of appointment. Enrollment is voluntary and must be requested within 45 days after the date of appointment. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

• SEHP Empire Plan biweekly rates as of 1/1/26:
  Individual:   $37.60 
  Family:        $197.98

Visit the Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) website for more information

Davis Vision and Anthem Dental provide partial reimbursement for services at participating and nonparticipating providers.

Dental Insurance is provided by Anthem Blue Cross. 

Vision Care is provided by Davis Vision.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Graduate Assistants must have at least a half assistantship and be employed on a stipend that would yield a total compensation of at least $4,293 on an annual basis. They must also be expected to work at least 6 consecutive biweekly pay periods.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Coverage becomes effective on the date of appointment. Enrollment is voluntary and must be requested within 45 days after the date of appointment. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• SEHP Dental Summary of Benefits

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?  

• 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?

• 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)
• 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. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?

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 DCAA max employee contribution is $7,500/$3,750 (based on tax filing status); the AAA max employee contribution is $17,670.  

Availability of DCAA employer contributions and AAA subject to contract negotiations.

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. 

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?
GSEU employees are eligible after completing one semester on the payroll and if they are engaged in a full assistantship. If they fall below a full assistantship or have a break of a full semester, they must reestablish eligibility. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Employees who have completed one semester on the payroll and are in a full assistantship become eligible following a qualifying event (birth of a child, placement of a child for adoption or foster care). 

PPL is available for use once every 12-month period and must be used on a continuous basis (blocks at a time).

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

• Sick Leave Accruals:
  • Graduate Assistants are entitled to a maximum of five days of sick leave per academic year after one semester of service.

• 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.