Full-Time Teaching and Non-Teaching Instructional Staff Benefits
Benefits
The following benefits are available to Full-time Teaching and Non-teaching Instructional Staff who meet eligibility requirements (see below for eligibility details):
A major medical insurance supplement is available for those who select GHI-CBP. Please note that GHI is the only plan that does NOT offer annual physicals if you are under 45 years of age.
To obtain further information on the health plans, please visit the website
www.nyc.gov/olr
Health Insurance Coverage
Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the New York City Health Benefit Program, and may choose to receive health coverage through one of the following carriers: Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) and Point of Service (POS) plans. There is no waiting period to join a plan. Coverage for the employee and his/her eligible dependents will begin immediately upon appointment if the enrollment application is completed and returned to the Office of Human Resources within 30 days of the date of employment. Proof of marriage and birth certificates for dependent children are required. Optional coverage may be purchased for some health plans through additional payroll deductions. Once a health plan is selected, it cannot be changed until the annual open enrollment period which is held during the fall semester. Any change in plan made during this period becomes effective the first full payroll the following January. If a Qualifying Event occurs such as a birth, marriage or divorce, the employee has 30 days from the date of the event to add or drop an individual. Proof of the event is required.
Fringe Benefits
Dental, Optical, Hearing Aids and Prescription Drug plans are available through The Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York (PSC/CUNY) Welfare Fund. Coverage becomes available on the 1st day of the month following an employee’s appointment date. The PSC/CUNY pays for the prescription drug coverage for all health plans through Medco Health. Group Long Term Disability coverage becomes available after the first full year of appointment. Additional coverage for Optional Long Term Disability Insurance (for employees only), Long Term Care and Catastrophic Major Medical is available at an additional cost.
Pension Plans
Enrollment in a retirement plan is mandatory for full-time employees. The employee must elect to join a pension plan within 30 days from the appointment date. Retirement election is irrevocable. The employee may join the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), Teacher’s Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF). Substitute and Visiting appointees are also eligible to join. Only current members of TRS may elect to join this pension plan during a visiting appointment. Members of the Employees’ Retirement System may have the option to enroll in TRS or TIAA/CREF. If already a member of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) or the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), the employee may remain in that program. Retirees who are receiving a pension from New York State or any of its political subdivisions, will not be allow to participate in the pension program.
New York Teachers’ Retirement System
The New York Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) is a defined benefits plan. Benefits are based on age, final average salary and years of service credit. The vesting period is 5 years and employees are required to contribute 3% of their salary. After 10 years of full time service in the pension system, contributions to the system are no longer required. The City contributes a lump sum annually to the pension funds.
Teachers' Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund
TIAA-CREF is a defined contribution plan. Benefits are based on the amount contributed by the employee and employer and the success of the employee’s choice of investments. Vesting occurs after 366 days.
Effective April 1, 2008:
- • Employees who joined the Optional Retirement Program on or before July 16, 1992 and currently contribute 1.5% will have 1% of their employee contribution made by the State or the City.
- • Employees who joined the Optional Retirement Program on or after July 17, 1992, have ten or more years of CUNY membership, and who currently contribute 3%, will have 1% of their employee contribution made by the State or the City.
Effective April 1, 2009:
- • Employees who joined the Optional Retirement Program on or before July 16, 1992 and currently contribute 1.5% will have the total 1.5% employee contribution made by the State or the City.
- • Employees who joined the Optional Retirement Program on or after July 17, 1992, have ten or more years of CUNY membership, and who currently contribute 3% will have 2% of their employee contribution made by the State or the City.
Effective April 1, 2010:
- • Employees who joined the Optional Retirement Program on or after July 17, 1992, have ten or more years of CUNY membership, and who currently contribute 3% will have the total 3% employee contribution made by the State or the City.
• Employees who attain ten years of Optional Retirement Program membership on or after April 1, 2010 will have the entire 3% employee contribution made by the State or the City.
The employee contributes 3% for up to 10 years and CUNY contributes 8% for the first seven years of employment and 10% thereafter.
Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) Program/Supplementary Retirement Annuity (SRA)
A tax-deferred annuity program is available to all members of the full-time instructional staff. Participants may elect to defer a percentage of their salaries before taxes as a retirement investment under contract with TIAA-CREF, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company - represented by the Halliday Financial Group and TRS. This option is available only to members enrolled in the TRS Defined Benefit Plan. Employees can only enroll in one tax deferred annuity program.
New York State Deferred Compensation Program
All faculty and staff are eligible to participate in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP) in addition to the regular tax deferred annuity. For information please call (800) 422-8463. New enrollment packets are available in the Office of Human Resources.
Long Term Care (LTC) Plans
There are two Long Term Care Programs are available. LTC Insurance helps pay for long term care services that are not usually covered under the health plans. This insurance provides benefits for covered services from a nursing facility, home health care agency, adult day care center, assisted living facility, and hospice. Employees and eligible family members may participate in The City of New York’s Long-Term Care plan administered and insured by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife). New employees are guaranteed acceptance if they enroll within 90 days of employment. Employees may enroll at a later date but will have to provide evidence of insurability. Premiums are based on the individual’s age upon enrollment and the benefit option chosen. This plan is available to spouses, children, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents and grandparents-in-law. Eligible dependents are required to prove insurability regardless of when they apply. For information on this plan, call 866-414-7076 or access MetLife’s Web site at.
www.metlife.com/mybenefits.
The PSC/CUNY Welfare Fund offers Long-Term Care coverage through the John Hancock Insurance Company. The plan is available to spouses, children, parents, and parents-in-law whether or not the employee enrolls. All eligible family members will be required to complete a medical underwriting questionnaire. This coverage provides services and support for participants who need everyday help over an extended period of time due to an accident, illness or a chronic condition. Care may be provided in a variety of settings. To find out more information or request an Enrollment Packet, visit The PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund Long-Term Care web site at http://psccuny.jhancock.com (username: psccuny; password: mybenefit), or call The John Hancock Customer Service Center at 1-888-513-2071.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA PROGRAMS)
The NYC Flexible Spending Accounts Program includes the following:
- Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA)
- Dependent Care Assistance Program (DeCAP)
- Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program (MSC)
Enrollment in all of the FSA Programs must be made within 30 days of employment.
HCFSA allows employees, through pre-tax payroll deductions, to set aside up to $5,000 to pay for eligible health care expenses that are not reimbursable under their health and welfare fund insurance coverage. FSA elections do not roll over from year to year. Employees must re-enroll in the plan each year.
The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DeCAP) program allows employees, through pre-tax payroll deductions, to set aside up to $5,000 to pay for qualified day care, child care or in-home care for a disabled spouse or parent enabling the employee to work. . Employees must re-enroll in the plan each year.
Both the Health Care Flexible Spending Account and the Dependent Care Program permit the employee to set salary aside and be reimbursed for eligible expenses with non-taxable monies, effectively reducing their taxes.
The Health Benefit Buy Out Waiver Program allows employees who do not wish to join a health insurance program to opt out of the medical coverage and receive an annual incentive payment if they have other non-city health coverage available to them. The annual incentive is $500 for individual coverage and $1,000 for family coverage, paid in two installments. Proof of health care coverage plus family status, if applicable, is required. The Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York (PSC/CUNY) Welfare Fund benefits will still be available, with the exception of the prescription plan and the major medical supplement.
US Savings Bonds
Employees may purchase saving bonds through payroll deduction. Employees should contact the payroll department for additional information.
Tuition Waivers
Tuition may be waived for undergraduate and graduate courses at any of The City University of New York. There is a one-year eligibility waiting period for undergraduate courses. The number of credits per semester for which tuition may be waived is unlimited. Tuition for up to six credits per semester may be waived for Graduate courses. There is no waiting period. No waivers are available for courses in the summer session. Tuition Waivers are not available to the spouse or dependents of employees.
New York State College Savings Program (Upromise)
The New York State College Tuition Choice Program provides individuals with the opportunity to save for a child’s college expenses while gaining tax advantages. Participants may deduct up to $5,000 of their contributions from their New York State taxable income. Contributions to the program may be made through payroll deductions or direct payment to the plan. For more information about the program, call the College Savings Program at 1-877-NYSAVES or visit the website at www.nysaves.org.
TRANSITBENEFIT Transportation Spending Account (TSA) Program
The transit benefit program allows employees to save on transportation expenses through pre-tax payroll deductions. For information and enrollment go to www.cuny.edu/transitbenefit.
Union Representation
Instructional staff is represented by the Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York. Staff may elect to join the bargaining unit in which case they will be charged union dues. If not, they will be charged an agency shop fee.
Payroll
Pay days are biweekly on Thursdays. Checks are issued on the preceding Wednesday beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the Payroll Office. Staff may arrange to have checks mailed to their homes by contacting the payroll office. Direct deposit is available immediately.
Credit Unions
Participation in the PSC/CUNY Education Affiliates Federal Credit Union or the Municipal Credit Union is also available. For more information about these programs, call the Municipal Credit Union at 1-212-693-4900 or visit the website at www.nymcu.org. For information on the Education Affiliates FCU, please call 1-212-354-2238 or visit the website at www.psccunyfcu.org.
Identification Cards
In addition to serving as official CUNY identification, ID cards may be used in the Mina Rees Library and in Information Resources and at other CUNY campuses.
Annual Leave
Teaching faculty earn a summer month of annual leave for each full semester of service, July for the Spring semester, August for the Fall. Non-teaching instructional staff accrue 15 days of annual leave in their initial year of appointment. Thereafter, annual leave gradually increases to a maximum of 25 days per year after ten years. There is a 45 day cap on accruals for new Non-Teaching Instructional staff.
Sick Leave
Instructional staff earn sick leave at a rate of 1 day 4 hours 40 minutes per month, for a total of 20 days per year, to a maximum of 160 days.
Holidays
Non-teaching instructional staff receives thirteen (13) paid holidays annually. In addition, they receive unscheduled holidays, earned on a quarterly basis that are available in each full year of appointment. Those who begin after the beginning of the academic year receive a pro-rated number of unscheduled holidays.
Detailed summaries of benefits for instructional staff may be found here. [PDF]
Detailed summaries of benefits for executive staff may be found here. [PDF]
