UUP Full-time Employees

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.

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:
  Annual Salary Rate Less Than $52,413:
  Individual:   $65.99 
  Family:        $298.75
  
  Annual Salary Rate Equal to or More Than $52,413:
  Individual:   $87.99 
  Family:        $355.24
• HMO rates vary. Visit NYSHIP Rates 2026 for more information

The UUP Benefit Trust Fund provides UUP eligible employees with dental and vision insurance coverage. 

Delta Dental

• Dental PPO Program covers preventive and diagnostic services at 100% of Delta Dental’s maximum contract allowance. Delta Dental will pay a total annual maximum benefit of $3000 per eligible UUP-represented employee and per eligible dependent based on Delta Dental’s maximum contract allowance for services. Orthodontic services are available for adults and children.
• Dental DHMO Program is a dental HMO-type plan with no claim forms or maximums. The plan covers most preventive and diagnostic services at 100%. Basic restorative services are offered at a reduced rate. Orthodontic services are available for adults and children.

Davis Vision offers a comprehensive eye exam and one pair of glasses (or the benefit may be applied to contact lenses) once every 12 months for eligible UUP-represented employees and eligible dependents. Additional enhancements are also offered on a copay basis.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Must be at least half-time and eligible to receive health insurance.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
28-day waiting period.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No cost to employee, regardless of coverage as Individual or Family. Paid for by New York State.

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

SUNY Optional Retirement Program (ORP): Defined contribution plan; benefits are based on employer and employee contributions and the success of the investments.  Employer contribution is 8% of salary for first seven years of service, 10% thereafter.  Currently includes the following Authorized Investment Providers: Corebridge, Fidelity, TIAA and Voya.  

*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 employees, except for employees who have current membership, who must continue to participate, if eligible. Unless newly eligible for a different retirement system.  
• Employees in the faculty/titles of Chancellor, President, Provost, Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean are also eligible for TRS. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?

• Immediately upon enrollment.
• ERS & TRS: Vested after 5 full-time equivalent years.  
• ORP: Vested after 366 calendar days of service, (partial days count as full days) or immediately for those who have met this service requirement with prior NYS Public employment service or have a vested employer-sponsored account with TIAA, Voya, Fidelity or Corebridge.
  

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Employee contribution is based on salary rate,  as follows:    
$45,000 and under: 3%  
$45,000.01 – $55,000: 3.5%
$55,000.01 – $75,000: 4.5%  
$75,000.01 – $100,000: 5.75%
† More than $100,000: 6% 

† Pensionable salary will be capped at the Governor’s annual salary of $250,000 for members of ERS or TRS. ORP limit is set by Federal government at $360,000. 

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/$3,7500 (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

The UUP Benefit Trust Fund provides Group Term Life Insurance Program coverage for all active UUP-represented employees in the Professional Services Negotiating Unit. The maximum benefit is $10,000.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All UUP employees.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Date employee is placed on payroll. 

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

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 savindgs (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: https://www.suny.edu/benefits/vsp/  Both plans function similarly, but there are a few important key differences. View the 403(b) vs. 457(b) Comparison Chart for more information. 

UUP TUITION ASSISTANCE
The UUP Space Available Program provides one free course per semester or summer/winter session with a maximum of four classes per year. Partial assistance for additional courses through the SUNY Tuition Waiver program (based on funding). Fees not covered by Tuition Assistance. Must be SUNY state-operated campus. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Appointment must cover period of support. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon employment. 

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

UUP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
This program provides $850 per semester for eligible dependent children of UUP- represented employees up to age 26, must be enrolled at a SUNY State-operated campus. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All UUP employees upon hire.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon employment. 

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

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.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All UUP employees upon hire who meet eligibility criteria.

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon employment. 

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

The Long-Term Disability Coverage provides a monthly income benefit equal to 60% of covered monthly salary, up to $7,500/month. The SUNY LTD Plan also provides a Monthly Annuity Premium Benefit (MAPB), for ORP participants, which continues to make contributions on employee’s behalf.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Full time employees who are disabled for six consecutive months. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Enrollment is automatic on the first of the month following one year anniversary. The waiting period may be waived if you had previous coverage within three months of beginning eligible SUNY employment. To request, submit waiver form to your HR office. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No cost to the employee. Employer covers cost of premium. 

PAID FAMILY LEAVE
This program provides workers with up to 12 weeks of job-protected, paid leave to bond with a new child, care for a loved one or relatives with a serious health condition or to help relieve family pressures when someone is deployed abroad on active military service. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Employees who work a regular schedule of 20 or more hours/week are eligible after 26 consecutive weeks’ employment. 

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE?
Upon qualifying event, as needed according to usage guidelines. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Fully funded by employees through payroll deductions.  
For 2026, the contribution is 0.432% of an employee's gross wages each pay period. The maximum annual contribution is $411.91  

Employee receives partial pay (67%) paid by the Insurance Carrier (The Standard). 

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 fulltime 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, Sick & Holiday Leave Accruals:
  • Calendar and College Year employees accrue vacation and sick leave according to a schedule (see schedule below).
  • On January 2 of each Agreement year, one vacation day is added to the balance. *
    Note: Academic Year employees do not accrue vacation.
  • Eligible for up to 13 holidays per year if they fall on a regularly scheduled workday.

*On January 1 of each calendar year, accrued vacation leave credits shall not exceed 40 days; employee will forfeit unused annual leave if not used by last day of the calendar year. Accumulation of sick leave cannot exceed 225 days. 

• 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. Full-time faculty are usually paid over 26 biweekly pay periods.