Benefit Information for
Graduate and Teaching Assistants

2009-2010 Academic Year

This is a general guide to benefits.  Programs, policies, and costs are subject to change without notice, and such changes are generally applicable to all future employees regardless of the date the original offer or acceptance of employment was made.

1. Health Insurance
2. NYS Employees' Retirement System
3. Flex Spending Account
4. Voluntary Savings Program
   
    

A. HEALTH INSURANCE

Graduate and Teaching Assistants who have at least a half assistantship and who have an annual stipend of at least $4,122 ($2,061 per semester) are eligible for the Student Employee Health Plan as employees represented by the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU).  This differs from the Accident and Sickness Insurance available to all students.  An enrollment packet will be sent to eligible employees in care of the department once we are notified of an appointment.

• F-1 and J-1 Students:
  Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to enroll in the Student Employee Health Plan.  Coverage becomes effective on the date of appointment.  Enrollment in the program may be waived with proof of comparable coverage under another plan.
• U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents:
  Enrollment in the Student Employee Health Plan is voluntary and must be requested within 45 days after the date of appointment.  Health insurance coverage is effective on the date we receive the enrollment form, but not earlier than the date of appointment.  Enrollment after the initial enrollment period is subject to a 30-day wait from the date of request, unless previous coverage is terminated and proof is provided.  An open enrollment is held each year from mid-August to late September.

Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP)
http://www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd/epgseu/hb.cfm

The State will pay 90 percent of the cost of individual coverage and 75 percent of the additional cost for dependent coverage.  All premium payments are made through payroll deduction.  The current bi-weekly premiums are:

Coverage	Bi-Weekly Rate
Individual:	$  5.74
Family:	$51.73

Premiums generally change on January 1 of each year.

To enroll, employees need to provide documentation including:

• Social Security Card;
• Birth Certificate or Passport for self and all dependents;
• Marriage or domestic partner certification, if applicable;
• Statement of Dependence for children other than natural, legally adopted, or dependent stepchildren.

Plan Provisions:

SEHP provides coverage through a number of insurance carriers.  The maximum prescription drug benefit (network and non-network combined) is $2,500.  The plan has an annual maximum of $350,000 for all other benefits, including a maximum of $100,000 for non-network services. 

Hospitalization is covered by Blue Cross.  Generally, expenses incurred at a network hospital are paid in full after a $200 co-payment.  Expenses incurred at a non-network hospital are reimbursed at 50% after a $200 co-payment.  Inpatient services received from a network provider are generally paid in full.  Emergency Room services are subject to a co-payment, which is waived if admitted directly from the Emergency Room.  Outpatient services are covered with a $15 co-payment.

A two-part medical expense benefit plan is provided through United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York.

• A participating provider program, limited to 15 visits per year, provides full benefits after a $10 per visit co-payment when medical services are rendered by a participating provider.
• Benefits for covered services from a non-participating provider, or after the 15^th visit to a participating provider, are reimbursed at 80% of allowable expenses, subject to an annual deductible of $100.
• Prescription drug coverage is jointly administered by Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Medco, with a $5 co-payment for a 30-day supply of generic drugs, $15 for preferred brand-name drugs, and $30 for non-preferred brand-name drugs.  If you choose a brand-name drug that has a generic equivalent, you will pay the non-preferred brand-name drug co-payment plus the difference in cost between the brand-name drug and the generic drug.  Significant savings may be achieved by purchasing a 90-day supply through mail order.

Dental benefits, provided by GHI, include 2 visits per year for examination, cleaning, and x-rays subject to a co-payment of $20.  Fillings are subject to a $10 co-payment per filling, with a maximum of 2 fillings per year.  Benefits are available only from a GHI participating provider.  Other services may be available at a discount if received from a GHI provider who participates in the GHI Discounted Dental Access Program.

Vision benefits through EyeMed cover a routine eye examination, subject to a $10 co-payment, every two years.  There is no coverage for services received from a non-participating provider.  Certain frames and lenses or contact lenses offered by a participating provider at the time and place of an eye exam are paid in full.  Contact EyeMed, the plan administrator, at 1/877-226-1412.  You may also link to their website and obtain additional information about vision coverage or other SEHP benefits by visiting www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd and clicking on “I am represented by the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU).”

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B. NYS EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ERS)
(http://www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/)

All Graduate and Teaching Assistants are eligible for membership in the NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS).  Membership, which is optional, requires a contribution of three percent of salary that is deducted from your paycheck.  Service credit is pro-rated for part-time employees (all Graduate and Teaching Assistants are part-time).  Membership may be transferred to other public retirement systems in New York State.

• Under current legislation, employees contribute 3% of salary toward retirement for the first 10 years of service.  Employee's contributions are deducted prior to the computation of federal taxes.
• At age 62, with the equivalent of 20 or more years of full-time service, the benefit is computed at the rate of 2% of the average of the three best consecutive annual salaries, multiplied by the number of years of service (but not to exceed 30 years).  Retirement is possible at age 55 with certain pension reductions, or with no reductions at age 55 with 30 years of service.
• The retirement benefit for those with more than five, but less than the equivalent of 20 years of full-time service is computed at the rate of 1.66% of final average salary as described above.
• Members who terminate employment with the equivalent of at least five years of full-time credited service are vested in the system and are, therefore, entitled to a retirement allowance upon reaching age 55.  Members who terminate employment with less than the equivalent of ten years of full-time credited service may request a refund of their own contributions plus interest when they leave State service.
• The State makes appropriate annual contributions to ERS to provide a pension.

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C. FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNTS
(www.flexspend.state.ny.us)

The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows employees to pay for up to $5,000 per year of dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.  Qualified dependents include children under the age of 13, disabled children of any age, and relatives residing in the employee's home who are incapable of caring for themselves.  Employees must enroll within the first 60 days of employment (or within 60 days of a change in family status) or wait until an annual enrollment period in the Fall.  Visit the above website for additional information, including the employer’s current contribution toward participation in this program.

 

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D. VOLUNTARY SAVINGS PROGRAM

A tax-deferred annuity program is available to all University employees. Employees may elect to set aside a portion of their salaries before taxes as a retirement investment under a 403(b) contract with TIAA-CREF. Contact the Employee Benefits Office at 437-4729 for information on enrollment. For general information, including investment fund performance, contact TIAA-CREF directly at 800/842-2776 or at www.tiaa-cref.org/suny.

All employees are eligible to participate in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP), a 457(b) plan. For enrollment information and investment fund performance, contact NYSDCP directly at 800/422-8463 or at www.nysdcp.com.  Enrollment packets may also be requested by calling the Employee Benefits Office at 437-4729.

 

For general information regarding these tax-deferred savings plans, including annual IRS maximum deferral limits, click on SUNY Voluntary Savings Program Options.

 

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Revised May 2008

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Employee Benefits
Office of Human Resources Management
University at Albany
Albany, NY 12222
(518) 437-4729 (Voice) 437-4731 (Fax)
Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm, Summers, 8:00am - 4:00pm