Human Resources News and Announcements

Faculty employees who are receiving their annual salary in less than 26 paychecks each year must have extra health insurance deductions taken to cover the summer months prior to their removal from the payroll. The NYS Employee Benefits Division (EBD) attempts to take the deductions for summer health insurance coverage before the employee goes off the payroll. If NYS EBD is unable to take all the deductions, any outstanding balances will be taken when the enrollee returns to active status on the payroll (fall semester for faculty). If the enrollee does not return and is no longer active on the payroll, NYS EBD will direct bill the enrollee for the remaining balance. 

PAYCHECKS IMPACTED FOR EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVE 20 PAYCHECKS

PAYCHECKS IMPACTED FOR EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVE 21 PAYCHECKS

The 2024 NYSHIP Option Transfer & Pre-tax Contribution Program Period begins November 30,2023, and runs through December 29, 2023. The Pre-tax Contribution Period (PTCP) Election Period runs concurrently with the Option Transfer Period. 

***NO ACTION IS REQUIRED IF YOU WISH TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION AND STILL QUALIFY FOR THAT PLAN.***

2024 NYSHIP OPTION TRANSFER PERIOD

The annual Option Transfer Period is here! This is the time to choose the health insurance option you want for 2024. Eligible employees* may also be able to opt out of coverage for the 2024 plan year for an incentive payment. 

*UUP-represented employees are not eligible to participate in the opt-out program.

During the Option Transfer Period you can:

• Change your NYSHIP plan
• Change your Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) election
• Change from Family to Individual coverage (regardless of whether a qualifying event has affected your dependents' eligibility)
• Change from Individual to Family coverage (late enrollment provisions will apply)
• Voluntarily cancel your coverage (regardless of whether a qualifying event has affected your eligibility)

DEADLINES & EFFECTIVE DATES

FORMS

• ADOBESIGN NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PS-404)
• NYSHIP Opt-Out Attestation Form (PS-409) 

2023 NYSHIP CHOICES & RATES

• 2024 NYSHIP Option Transfer Guide (Are you an active NYSHIP enrollee who is thinking about changing your health plan in 2023? Or a new employee interested in learning more about the annual Option Transfer Period? Either way, this guide has you covered!)
• 2024 Choices Booklet(This booklet explains the options available to you under NYSHIP. It is an invaluable tool to assist you in making the right health plan choice for you and any dependents.)
  • For NYSCOPBA and PBANYS-represented Employees Only - Supplement to Choices 2024
    This flyer is a companion document to the Health Insurances Choices for 2024 booklet.
• 2024 NYSHIP Rates (Biweekly health insurance premiums that will come out of your paycheck; includes all NYS plans.)
• Plan Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (This NYS Department of Civil Service website provides printable and more detailed information than the CHOICES booklet for each health plan.)
• How do I contact my HMO (Blue Choice, MVP, Highmark BCBS WNY, Independent Health)? (This link will take you to the contact information, plan websites and other resources for each of these plans.)

2024 NYSHIP OPT-OUT PROGRAM INFORMATION 

Planning for Option Transfer 2024 booklet - See Opt-out Program information and FAQs starting on page 5. For current enrollees, you do not need to submit a new form to re-enroll in the Opt-out Program each year.

PRE-TAX CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM (PTCP) ELECTION PERIOD 

If You Choose to Participate in PTCP (Before Tax)
Under PTCP, your health insurance premium is deducted from your paycheck before taxes are withheld, which may lower your tax liability. In exchange for this reduction in your tax liability, you agree to maintain the same pre-tax health insurance deduction for the entire plan year, unless you experience a qualifying event that would allow you to make a change or cancel your coverage and provide timely notification (within 30 days) of the event. 

If You Choose NOT to Participate in PTCP (After Tax)
If you decline participation in PTCP, your health insurance premium will be deducted from your paycheck after taxes are withheld. Enrollees who do not participate in PTCP may have greater flexibility to make changes to their NYSHIP coverage during the year, as long as those changes are consistent with NYSHIP rules.

***NO ACTION IS REQUIRED TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT PTCP STATUS.***

How can I find out my PTCP status? Your paycheck shows whether or not you are enrolled in PTCP.

If you are enrolled in PTCP, your paycheck stub shows "Regular Before-Tax Health" in the Before-Tax Deductions section. Your health insurance premium is deducted from your wages before taxes are withheld.  If you are not enrolled in PTCP, or part of your deduction is being taken after-tax (e.g., for a non-federally qualifying dependent), your paycheck stub shows "Regular After-Tax Health" in the After-Tax Deductions section. Your health insurance premium is deducted from your wages after taxes are withheld. 

If you want to change your PTCP election for 2024, complete a NYSHIP Health Insurance Transaction Form PS-404 and submit it to Human Resources & Payroll Services by December 29, 2023.

The State University of New York provides employees with the opportunity to save for their retirement through the SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Plan‌‌‌ and the NYS Deferred Compensation (NYSDCP) 457 Plan. Participating in a voluntary savings plan is a great way to build your retirement savings and allows for retirement savings on a pre-and post-tax basis. All employees who receive a W2 from SUNY are eligible to participate in the SUNY Voluntary Savings Options.

HOW MUCH CAN I CONTRIBUTE?

For 2024, you may contribute up to $23,000 per year to either a 403(b) or a 457(b) account or to each. If you are age 50 or older anytime in 2024, you can contribute an additional $7,500, for a maximum of $30,500.

Please remember that you are responsible for tracking and reporting the amount of all your contributions to the plans so that the total amount of all your annual contributions to all plans in which you participate does not exceed the limit. 

OVERVIEW & PLAN TYPES

• SUNY Universal Availability Notice
• SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Plan FAQs
• New York State Deferred Compensation 
• SUNY 403b/SUNY Roth 403(b)/NYS Deferred Comp 457 Comparison Chart

HOW DO I ENROLL?

• NYS Deferred Compensation - ENROLL using the materials online or by calling 1-800-422-8463.
• SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Plan - To ENROLL or MANAGE ACCOUNTS visit Retirement@Work to either create an account or login into your existing account. Click HERE for step-by-step instructions and guidance on choosing effective dates. 

SUNY INVESTMENT PROVIDERS & CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVES

• VOYA:  Gary Witten - 716-626-3928/ Gary@TeamIFS.com
• AIG:  Robert Leombruno - 518-783-6464/ Robert.Leombruno@valic.com
• FIDELITY:  Bill Stark - 716 -270-7732/ william.stark@fmr.com
• TIAA:  Michael Spogli - 585-246-4631/ Michael.Spogli@tiaa.org
• NYS DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Mark Wallace - 716-903-7253 mark.wallace@nationwide.com 

Open enrollment for the NYS Flex Spending Account 2024 plan year begins November 1, 2023 and ends December 11, 2023 at 11:59 pm.

Quick Links:

2024 NYS Flex Spending Account Enrollment Book
2024 NYS Flex Spending Informational Flier

What is the Flex Spending Account (FSA)?
The Flex Spending Account (FSA) is a state employee benefit that saves you money by allowing you to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. Under this program, you can choose from three different benefits:

The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) lets you set aside any amount from $100 up to $3200 for the 2024 plan year to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan. Only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSA.

The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 or $2500, based on your tax filing status, in pre-tax dollars for eligible custodial child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work.

The Adoption Advantage Account lets you pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child with pre-tax dollars. Enrollees can save on federal and state taxes (where applicable) by having up to $16,810 withheld from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.

Who is eligible to enroll in the FSA?

The Adoption Advantage Account, HCSA and DCAA are open to M/C employees and employees represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP*, NYSCOPBA, and PBANYS. GSEU-represented employees are eligible to enroll in the Adoption Advantage Account and the DCAA.

Employees who wish to enroll in the HCSA also must:

• Be either permanently employed or expect to be employed for the entire calendar year
  in which they plan to enroll in the HCSA*
• Receive regular, biweekly paychecks
• Work at least half-time
• Are eligible to enroll i n the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP)

*UUP-represented employees are eligible for the HCSA if they:

• Are permanent employees or are expected to be employed by New York State for the entire calendar year (employees who are hired on a semester basis are eligible if they meet the other criteria below) and
• Receive regular, biweekly paychecks and
• Are eligible to enroll in the New York State Health Insurance Program and
• Are part-time academic employees, whose professional obligation is primarily teaching classes, who teach six or more credits, contact hours, or credit equivalents or
• Are full-time professional employees or
• Are part-time academic or professional employees who are hired by a single university at a specified annual rate ($17,071 or more between July 2, 2023 and July 1, 2024)

NOTE: GSEU-represented, casual, seasonal, session, per diem, fee-basis, hourly employees and retirees, are not eligible to participate in the HCSA. 

How Do I Enroll?

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Is there an employer contribution to the DCAAccount? The DCAA employer contribution will be available in 2024 for unions that have agreements to participate in the employer contribution program. The following employees are currently eligible for the employer contribution: M/C and employees represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, or GSEU. The 2024 plan year employer contribution rates are:

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Carryover and Grace Period

HCSA Carryover - Unused contributions will carryover to the next plan year for you to use. During the plan year run-out period (January 1 - March 31), the previous year funds may still be used for previous year expenses. Any remaining funds, up to the IRS limit from the previous year, will then carryover into the current plan year's account balance after the run-out period end date. During the run-out, the new plan year election will be depleted first, then carryover funds will be accessible for reimbursement. For participants who do not re-enroll, carryover funds will be available after the run-out periods ends. The current IRS carryover limit from 2023 to 2024 is $610. The IRS carryover from 2024 to 2025 is $640.

DCAA and Adoption Grace Period - The grace period allows an additional 2.5 months to incur dependent care or adoption-related expenses. You can use any funds remaining in your account after the plan year ends to pay for expenses incurred between January 1 to March 15 of the following year. Claims must be submitted by the March 31 deadline.

The 2024 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) allows eligible employees to exchange previously accrued annual leave (vacation)* for a credit to be applied toward their employee share of NYSHIP premiums on a biweekly basis. 

*CSEA and PEF-represented employees can forfeit previously accrued annual (vacation) and/or personal leave.

The enrollment period for the 2024 PEP program runs from November 1, 2023, through Monday, December 11, 2023.

Please click on the links below for more PEP program details for the upcoming plan year. Completed enrollment forms must be submitted to Human Resources & Payroll Services by Monday, December 11, 2023.

UUP-represented and unclassified M/C (13) employees PEP program description and enrollment form

CSEA-and PEF-represented and classified M/C (06) employees PEP program description and enrollment form

The Special Option Transfer Period will begin on June 1, 2023 and end on June 30, 2023.

As a result of the recently ratified CSEA (02, 03, 04) contract and an administrative extension of collectively bargained benefit changes to employees designated Management/Confidential (06, 13), there will be New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) biweekly premium rate changes effective July 6, 2023. Due to these changes, there will be a Special Option Transfer Period where CSEA and M/C employees may make changes to their coverage.

What affected employees can and can't do during this special period:

• Employees can change their plan
• Employees can request to change from family coverage to individual coverage
• Employees can cancel their coverage
• Employees cannot enroll in the opt-out program during this period
• Employees cannot change their tax status

If you are considering changing your health insurance option for the remainder of 2023, here are resources to review plans and the new bi-weekly premium rates:

• NYSHIP CSEA & M/C Local Plan Rates
• NYS Empire Plan Special Report 2023
• Benefit Changes for the NYS Empire Plan effective July 1, 2023

If you decide to change your plan for the remainder of 2023, complete the:

• NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PS-404)
• NOTES:
  • When completing the PS-404 form, enter Benefits Administration, benefits@geneseo.edu as the second signature once you have submitted the form.
  • Submit this form by June 30, 2023, close of business.

Faculty employees who are receiving their annual salary in less than 26 paychecks each year must have extra health insurance deductions taken to cover the summer months prior to their removal from the payroll. NYS Employee Benefits Division (EBD) attempts to take the deductions for summer health insurance coverage before the employee goes off the payroll. If NYS EBD is unable to take all the deductions, any outstanding balances will be taken when the enrollee returns to active status on the payroll (fall semester for faculty). If the enrollee does not return and is no longer active on the payroll, NYS EBD will bill the enrollee for the remaining balance. 

PAYCHECKS IMPACTED FOR EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVE 20 PAYCHECKS

The 2023 NYSHIP Option Transfer Period begins December 1, 2022, and runs through December 30, 2022. The Pre-tax Contribution Period (PTCP) Election Period runs concurrently with the Option Transfer Period. Health Insurance plan changes and pre-tax changes are effective January 5, 2023, for the 2023 plan year. 

***NO ACTION IS REQUIRED IF YOU WISH TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION AND STILL QUALIFY FOR THAT PLAN.***

2023 NYSHIP OPTION TRANSFER PERIOD

The annual Option Transfer Period is here! This is the time to choose the health insurance option you want for 2023. Eligible employees* may also be able to opt out of coverage for the 2023 plan year for an incentive payment if eligible. 

*UUP-represented employees are not eligible to participate in the opt-out program.

During the Option Transfer Period you can:

• Change your NYSHIP plan
• Change your Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) election
• Change from Family to Individual coverage (regardless of whether a qualifying event has affected your dependents' eligibility)
• Change from Individual to Family coverage (late enrollment provisions will apply)
• Voluntarily cancel your coverage (regardless of whether a qualifying event has affected your eligibility)

DEADLINES & EFFECTIVE DATES

FORMS

• ADOBESIGN NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PS-404)
• NYSHIP Health Insurance Transaction Form (PS-404) 
• NYSHIP Opt-Out Attestation Form (PS-409) 

2023 NYSHIP CHOICES & RATES

• NEW NYSHIP Option Transfer Guide (Are you an active NYSHIP enrollee who is thinking about changing your health plan in 2023? Or a new employee interested in learning more about the annual Option Transfer Period? Either way, this guide has you covered!)
• Plan Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (This NYS Department of Civil Service website provides printable and more detailed information than the CHOICES booklet for each health plan.)
• NYSHIP Health Plan Websites (Empire Plan, Blue Choice, BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, Independent Health, and MVP of Rochester and Provider Lookup Tools    (This link will take you to the contact information, plan websites and other resources for each of these plans.)

PRE-TAX CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM (PTCP) ELECTION PERIOD 

If You Choose to Participate in PTCP (Before Tax)
Under PTCP, your health insurance premium is deducted from your paycheck before taxes are withheld, which may lower your tax liability. In exchange for this reduction in your tax liability, you agree to maintain the same pre-tax health insurance deduction for the entire plan year, unless you experience a qualifying event that would allow you to make a change or cancel your coverage and provide timely notification (within 30 days) of the event. 

If You Choose NOT to Participate in PTCP (After Tax)
If you decline participation in PTCP, your health insurance premium will be deducted from your paycheck after taxes are withheld. Enrollees who do not participate in PTCP may have greater flexibility to make changes to their NYSHIP coverage during the year, as long as those changes are consistent with NYSHIP rules.

***NO ACTION IS REQUIRED TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT PTCP STATUS.***

How can I find out my PTCP status? Your paycheck shows whether or not you are enrolled in PTCP.

If you are enrolled in PTCP, your paycheck stub shows "Regular Before-Tax Health" in the Before-Tax Deductions section. Your health insurance premium is deducted from your wages before taxes are withheld.  If you are not enrolled in PTCP, or part of your deduction is being taken after-tax (e.g., for a non-federally qualifying dependent), your paycheck stub shows "Regular After-Tax Health" in the After-Tax Deductions section. Your health insurance premium is deducted from your wages after taxes are withheld. 

If you want to change your PTCP election for 2023, complete a NYSHIP Health Insurance Transaction Form PS-404 and submit it to Human Resources & Payroll Services by December 30, 2022.

2024 Option Transfer Dates and Deadlines

December 20, 2023 - Earliest paycheck in which you may see a deduction change for plan yar 2024

December 29, 2023 - Health Insurance Transaction Form PS 404 and/or PS 409 due to Human Resources

January 1, 2024 - New health insurance plan benefit year begins

January 3, 2024 - Earliest paycheck in which you will see a deduction change

January 4, 2024 - Pay period begin date for new health insurance plans for 2024

Did you know SUNY Geneseo’s online learning platform, BizLibrary, includes hundreds of videos that are 15 minutes or less in length? You can easily filter the large content library by duration and find a quick video that fits into your busy schedule.

To learn more visit: https:geneseo.bizlibrary.com. BizLibrary is your go-to resource for learning and development. This month, take some time out of your day to log in and browse the library. Choose a new skill or topic area that you want to focus on and create a playlist for yourself to continue learning all month long! Check out all available courses by visiting: geneseo.bizlibrary.com

BizLibrary is available anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection.

You have unlimited access to thousands of streaming videos for your ongoing development, including lessons on how to be more creative and productive in your role!

Check out all available courses by visiting: geneseo.bizlibrary.com

Beginning with the 2019 plan year, the provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) known as the Individual Shared Responsibility Payment (sometimes called the “penalty” or “individual mandate”) no longer applies. However, to comply with PPACA, the State of New York is still required to send Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Form 1095-C to all full-time employees, any other NYSHIP enrollees who are Empire Plan-primary, and any NYSHIP enrollees who cover any Empire Plan-primary dependents. This includes applicable enrollees covered under The Empire Plan or any NYSHIP Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).

If you receive IRS Tax Form 1095-C, review it for accuracy and retain it with your tax records. You do not need to return the form to the State of New York, and it does not need to be filed with your federal or state income tax return. If any of the information contained on your IRS Tax Form 1095-C is inaccurate, call the “contact telephone number” located in box 10 of the Form to correct any errors.

NYSHIP enrollees who are Medicare-primary or who provide coverage to any dependents who are Medicare-primary should note that enrollment information for Medicare-primary members will not appear on IRS Tax Form 1095-C. Medicare-primary enrollees may receive a separate Form 1095-B from Medicare. 

If you were enrolled in a NYSHIP HMO plan for all or a portion of 2019, you will receive IRS Tax Form 1095-C from the State of New York, as well as a similar form, Form 1095-B, from your HMO. 

The Health Insurance Marketplace, commonly known as the Health Insurance Exchange, was created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Federal Healthcare reform).

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace? The Marketplace is designed to help you find health insurance that meets your needs and fits your budget.  The Marketplace offers “one-stop shopping” to find and compare private health insurance options.  You may also be eligible for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premium right away.  

Does Employer Health Coverage Affect Eligibility for Premium Savings through the Marketplace? Yes. If you have an offer of health coverage from your employer that meets certain standards, you will not be eligible for a tax credit through the Marketplace and may wish to enroll in your employer’s health plan.  However, you may be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium, or a reduction in certain cost–sharing if your employer does not offer coverage to you at all or does not offer coverage that meets certain standards.  If the cost of a plan from your employer that would cover you (and not any other members of your family) is more than 9.5% of your household income for the year, or if the coverage your employer provides does not meet the “minimum value” standard set by the Affordable Care Act, you may be eligible for a tax credit¹.

Note:  Because the State provides very comprehensive benefits and pays a high percentage of the cost of coverage, the vast majority of State employees who are eligible for NYSHIP coverage will not be able to obtain lower-cost coverage under the Marketplace. A customer service representative for The Marketplace can be reached at 1-855-355-5777.

More information about the Marketplace can be found at http://www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or https://www.healthcare.gov.  NYSHIP's General Information Book provides details of the coverage provided to employees.  It can be accessed by clicking here.

¹An employer-sponsored health plan meets the “minimum value standard” if the plan’s share of the total allowed benefit costs covered by the plan is no less than 60% of such costs.