Human Resources

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Benefits

Benefit Information for
Management/Confidential Employees

The following benefits are available to full-time eligible employees at the University at Albany designated Management/Confidential. Benefit 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.

A.     Health Insurance

B.      Vision Care and Dental Insurance

C.     Retirement Programs

D.     Voluntary Savings Program

E.     Social Security

F.      Group Long Term Disability Insurance

G.     M/C Life Insurance

H.     Death Benefits

I.       Tuition and Fee Assistance

J.       Flex Spending Account

K.      Long-Term Care Insurance

A. HEALTH INSURANCE

Coverage is effective after 56 days of employment if enrollment forms are received by that date. Employees have a choice of one of five options: a preferred provider organization or one of four health maintenance organizations. All health plans cover pre-existing conditions.

Preferred Provider Organization:

NYS Empire Plan http://www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd/epmc/hb.cfm

The Empire Plan covers hospitalization through Blue Cross, surgical/medical care through United HealthCare, mental health/substance abuse treatment through OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions, and prescription drugs through Medco. Empire Plan enrollees are not required to designate primary care providers or to obtain written referrals for specialists. Generally, services rendered by participating providers are paid in full with the exception of modest co-payments. The insurance carrier pays the provider directly.

Claims for services from providers who do not participate in the plan must be submitted under the Basic Medical Program. The enrollee is responsible for paying all charges and will receive any reimbursements directly from United HealthCare. Once a deductible is met, Basic Medical will reimburse 80% of reasonable and customary charges to a prescribed maximum. The program pays 100% of reasonable and customary expenses after the coinsurance maximum limit is met.

The Empire Plan includes “managed care” components for certain services, such as hospital and skilled nursing facility admissions, mental health and substance abuse treatment, home health care and durable medical goods, and chiropractic/physical therapy. Benefits may be substantially reduced if members go outside the network or do not call for pre-approval.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

1.       Capital District Physicians' Health Plan (http://www.cdphp.com)

2.       Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO (http://www.empireblue.com)

3.       GHI HMO (www.ghihmo.com)

4.       MVP Health Plan (http://www.joinmvp.com)

All HMOs provide comprehensive hospital, medical/surgical, mental health/substance abuse, and prescription drug coverage. Generally, enrollees are required to select a primary care provider from within the HMO’s network. Enrollees go to their primary provider for health care or referrals to specialists. (Note: GHI and MVP do not require referrals for in-network specialists.) The HMO pays providers in full, except for modest co-payments. The providers take care of claims and paperwork.

Premiums

At this time, the State pays 90% of the cost of individual coverage and 75% of the additional cost for dependent coverage in the Empire Plan. For HMOs, the State pays 90% of the cost of individual and 75% of the additional cost for dependent coverage, not to exceed 100% of its contribution to the Empire Plan. Health insurance contributions are deducted from payroll checks on a pre-tax basis, unless the employee specifically declines in writing to participate in the Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP).

Click here to view a chart containing the current biweekly premium rates arranged by bargaining unit.

B. VISION CARE AND DENTAL INSURANCE

Individual or family coverage is provided at no cost to eligible employees. Vision coverage becomes effective after 56 days of service. EyeMed covers one examination and pair of eye glasses for eligible employees and dependents every 24 months, or every 12 months for children under age 19. Additional information may be obtained by contacting EyeMed’s Customer Call Center at 877/226-1412 or visiting the Civil Service website (http://www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd/) and clicking on the vision benefits link. Dental coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you have completed six full calendar months of continuous employment. GHI Preferred Dental Plan offers coverage on a fee schedule basis. Visit the above website and click on the dental benefits link or go to www.ghi.com for more details.

C. RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

General Retirement Information:

Full-time faculty and full-time professional employees with an appointment of three months or longer are required to enroll in a retirement program within thirty (30) days of the effective date of their appointment. Retirement election is permanent.

Full-time professional employees in certain non-teaching position titles (Chancellor, President, Vice-President, Provost, Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean) are eligible to elect membership in the NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), the NYS Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) or the SUNY-Optional Retirement Program (ORP). In general, full-time professional employees may elect membership in either the NYS Employees’ Retirement System or the SUNY-Optional Retirement Program.

To view a side-by-side comparison of the key features and differences between ERS, TRS and ORP, click on Comparison of Retirement Plan Options.

New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS) (http://www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/)

Under current legislation, employees contribute 3 percent of annual salary toward retirement for the first ten years of membership. Employee contributions are deducted prior to the computation of federal taxes.

At age 62, with 20 to 30 years of full-time credited service, the benefit equals 2% of your final average salary (average of the highest consecutive 36 months of salary) multiplied by your years of credited service. The benefit includes an additional 1.5% of your final average salary for each year of credited service beyond 30 years. Retirement is possible at age 55 with pension reductions, or no reduction at age 55 with 30 years of credited service.

The retirement benefit for those with more than five but fewer than 20 years of full-time credited service is computed at the rate of 1.66% of final average salary as described above.

Members who terminate employment with 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 fewer than ten years of full-time service credit 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.

Nine or ten-month appointments are pro-rated and are not treated as a full year of service in calculating service credit.

New York State Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) (http://www.nystrs.org/)

Provisions are generally the same as the NYS Employees’ Retirement System with the following exceptions:

TRS allows Tier 1 members (must have joined prior to July 1, 1973) with 35 years of service to retire at any age; ERS minimum retirement age is 55.

ERS allows unused sick leave to be used in calculating service credit; TRS does not.

ERS allows for the inclusion of payment for unused vacation towards Final Average Salary (FAS) (must have joined prior to 4/1/72 or after 7/26/76) if FAS is based on the 36 months preceding retirement; TRS allows no such inclusion.

The SUNY-Optional Retirement Program(ORP)- ING, MetLife, TIAA-CREF, and VALIC

Under current legislation, employees contribute 3% of annual salary for the first 10 years of participation. Employee contributions are deducted prior to the computation of federal taxes.

The State contributions to the Optional Retirement Program will be the following percentages of the employee's first $245,000 (in 2009) of salary: 8% of salary for the first seven years of SUNY service; 10% of salary from seven to ten years and 13% thereafter.

Contracts are issued to and become the property of the employee, and the State is not liable for the payment of benefits provided under such contracts. The vendor determines benefits at the time of retirement based on the accumulation of assets in the account.

New employees coming to the University with existing contracts from ING, MetLife, TIAA-CREF, or VALIC are considered immediately vested and are entitled to immediate University contributions. New employees without such contracts are vested upon completion of 366 days of service and are entitled to retroactive University contributions at that time. Employee contributions begin immediately and are held in escrow by the Office of the State Comptroller until completion of the vesting period and are then forwarded to TIAA-CREF. Employees who leave SUNY service before vesting are eligible for a refund of their contributions plus interest.

Initial enrollment is with TIAA-CREF. Upon immediate vesting or after completion of the vesting period, employees may transfer part or all of their accumulations to any of three other vendors (ING, MetLife, or VALIC).

To view the latest quarterly ORP investment performance information for ING, MetLife, TIAA-CREF and VALIC, click on Vendor Performance Summary.

Vendor Websites:

ING: www.ingretirementplans.com/custom/SUNY

MetLife: www.metlife.com/suny

TIAA-CREF: www.tiaa-cref.org/suny

VALIC: www.VALIC.com/suny

Loan Provision Information

D. VOLUNTARY SAVINGS PROGRAM

A tax-deferred annuity program is available to all University full-time and part-time employees. Those employees designated as Management/Confidential professionals and UUP-represented academic and professional employees may elect to defer a portion of their salaries before federal and state taxes under a 403(b) contract with any (or all) of the following investment providers:

Fidelity

ING

MetLife

TIAA-CREF

VALIC

All staff are eligible to participate in the 457(b) NYS Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP). For enrollment and investment performance information, call 800/422-8463 or visit: www.nysdcp.com

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

E. SOCIAL SECURITY
(www.ssa.gov)

All employees are covered by Social Security. Taxes are withheld from salary up to the Social Security base as determined each calendar year. In 2009, $106,800 is subject to Social Security taxes (7.65%). Amounts over $106,800 are subject only to the Medicare portion of the Social Security tax (1.45%).

F. GROUP LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

Full-time academic and professional employees generally serve a one-year waiting period. The waiting period is waived when it is verified that, within three months prior to appointment with the University, the employee was covered under a similar group disability insurance program by a previous employer. The following is additional important information regarding this program:

1.      Benefits begin after six months of total disability.

2.      Benefits consist of a guaranteed income equal to 60% of monthly salary as of the date the disability began, not to exceed $7,500 monthly. Guaranteed income is inclusive of Social Security, Workers Comp, and retirement system benefits, if applicable.

3.      Benefits are based on the monthly earnings at the time the disability was incurred.

The University does not provide short-term disability benefits. You may use sick leave and annual leave accruals or go on leave without pay during the six-month elimination period. You may also wish to explore the private purchase of short-term disability insurance to provide coverage during the elimination period.

G. M/C LIFE INSURANCE

http://www.cs.state.ny.us/otherben/life/mclife.cfm#8

Group Life Insurance is offered to employees and eligible dependents in varying amounts, at premiums that depend upon age and smoker/non-smoker status. The plan, underwritten by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, offers several options in amounts and type of coverage. Generally, newly hired or appointed M/C employees who enroll within the first six bi-weekly payroll periods of eligibility are guaranteed issue of a policy. Enrollment is considered late after the first six bi-weekly payroll periods and requires proof of insurability, including a Statement of Health. Visit the above website for more information.

H. DEATH BENEFITS

A death benefit may be payable to the beneficiary of an individual who dies while employed by the University. Types and amounts of death benefits vary significantly according to the retirement system an employee elects.

The public retirement systems (TRS and ERS) provide a benefit equal to one year's salary for each year of service up to three years maximum salary, but with death benefits reduced each year beyond age 61. This benefit is further reduced upon retirement.

Under the Optional Retirement Program, the death benefit would be the current value of the contract accumulations, paid either as income or in a single sum.

If the death benefit provided by the retirement system is less than one-half final salary, a separate State program will provide or supplement that amount to a maximum of $10,000.

I. TUITION AND FEE ASSISTANCE

Full-time employees are eligible for a waiver of a percentage (usually 40-50%, based on the number of employees applying and the availability of funds) of tuition for up to eight credit hours of job-related courses taken at a SUNY campus. Tuition may not be waived for courses taken at a SUNY community college or at a campus external to SUNY. Tuition assistance is not available to the spouse or dependents of employees. For further details, go to the SUE Tuition Waiver Program page.

Employees with six months of state service are also eligible to participate in the M/C Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program provides 75% reimbursement for credit or non-credit courses, seminars and workshops offered by approved schools or organizations. Courses must be job-related or career-related. The maximum annual fiscal year reimbursement is $2,000. Additional details can be found at the Governor's Office of Employee Relations' website on the M/C Tuition Reimbursement Program Guidelines page.

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

1.      Dependent Care Advantage Account: This allows eligible employees to pay for up to $5,000/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 website for additional information, including the current employer contribution toward participation in this program.

2.      Health Care Spending Account: This allows eligible employees to set aside up to $4,000 annually in pre-tax salary to pay for health-related expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance. Medically necessary medical, dental, prescription, vision, and hearing expenses for enrollees and their eligible dependents may be reimbursed. 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 website for additional information.

K. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
(www.nyperl.net)

The NYS Public Employees and Retirees Long-Term Care Insurance Plan (NYPERL) allows eligible employees and dependents to purchase long-term care insurance through MedAmerica Insurance Company of NY. Generally, long-term care insurance provides benefits for covered services from a nursing facility, home health care agency, adult day care center, assisted living facility, and hospice. Active employees who enroll within 60 days of employment are guaranteed issue of a policy without proof of insurability. Enrollment after 60 days requires proof of insurability. Eligible dependents are required to prove insurability regardless of when they apply.

Revised September 2009

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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