Other Programs

Flex Spending Account (FSA)

The Flex Spending Account is a negotiated program that helps eligible State employees save money on their taxes. The program offers three types of benefits:

  • Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount)
  • Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount)
  • Adoption Advantage Account (AAAccount) - NEW effective January 1, 2019 - UUP or CSEA negotiating unit eligibility

Flexible spending accounts provide you a way to pay for your related expenses with pre-tax dollars.  Enrollment in FSA is voluntary.

If you are paying for dependent care expenses in order to work, or have medical expenses that are not reimbursable under your health insurance, you are paying for those expenses with dollars that have already been taxed.  If you plan to adopt, effective January 1, 2019, CSEA & UUP represented employees are eligible to enroll in the Adoption Advantage Account. 

By enrolling in the Flex Spend account, you will pay those same expenses with whole dollars - before federal, state and social security taxes are taken from your salary.

The open enrollment period is held each fall when the dates are announced by the Office of Employee Relations (OER). The FSA program operates from January 1 through December 31 each year.

For more detailed information, to enroll go to https://oer.ny.gov/fsa or call 1-800-358-7202.

Agency Codes:  28020 - faculty & staff / 28029 - graduate student employees (DCAA eligible only)

2024 Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment Brochure

Leave Donation Program

The intent of the Leave Donation Program (LDP) is to provide a means to assist employees who, because of long-term personal illness have exhausted their leave benefits and would otherwise be subject to a severe loss of income during a continuous absence from work.

Under appropriate circumstances, employees can donate VACATION time only to a qualified participant to be used as sick leave.

Detailed information and the required leave donation forms.

New York College Savings Program 529

529 college savings programs are state-sponsored plans that help you save for college tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and other qualified higher-education expenses. With this direct program, you choose to invest your contributions in one or more investment portfolios whose goal is to grow over time. When you need the money to pay for higher education expenses, you withdraw the funds in your account tax-free.

You can save for your child, grandchild, friend - even yourself - any age, newborn to adult. In addition, as a New York State taxpayer, you are entitled to a generous state income-tax deduction on your plan contributions.

For more information and/or to enroll, go to https://www.nysaves.org/content/home.html or call 800-420-8580.

PEP - Productivity Enhancement Program

PEP allows eligible employees to exchange vacation leave in return for money to be applied toward the reduction of their health insurance premium. When you enroll during the annually-designated enrollment period, the credit is divided evenly among the pay periods for the given year and applied toward the biweekly premium payments required for coverage under NYSHIP.

This program is subject to union negotiation and is not a guaranteed benefit. If the contract allows, an annual open period will be announced including specific eligibility requirements.

Please contact a Benefits Administrator for information regarding enrollment dates and eligibility.

Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

DETAILED PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • Forms that are electronically signed by the employer should use the following information: