Benefits FAQs

How do I enroll in health benefits?

To enroll in health benefits, you must either experience a qualifying event or wait for the open enrollment period. Qualifying events include a new appointment, loss of coverage, or changes in marital status or dependents. Paperwork must be submitted within 30 days of a qualifying event in order to complete your enrollment.

When does my benefits coverage start?

For full-time appointments, your benefits coverage will typically begin on the same date as your appointment. If you are a classified employee, who is provisional, temporary, or non-competitive, then you will be subject to a 90 day waiting period, before your benefits can begin. For PSC-represented employees, the PSC benefits (prescription, dental, and vision coverage) will begin on the first day of the month following the date of hire. 

What if I choose not to take health benefits?  

To waive your health care coverage, you must complete a Health Benefits Program application and select the "Waive Benefit" option at the top of the form. If you are enrolled in coverage through a non-city group health plan, you may be eligible for the Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program. This program offers a cash incentive of $500 for individual coverage or $1,000 for family coverage each year for employees who waive their City Health Benefits.

What types of health insurance are offered?    

Health coverage comes from the New York City Office of Labor Relations. There are various plan options (ie: PPO, HMO) and at different price points. 

I am currently on Fellowship Leave or other academic leave, what happens to my current benefits?    

If your academic leave is paid, your benefits will remain active. 

What happens to benefits when on a special leave of absence without pay?

If your leave of absence is unpaid and due to a medical condition or serious illness, you will be responsible for paying your share of the health insurance premiums, if applicable, under the Special Leave of Absence Coverage (SLOAC).

When is the annual Benefits Open Enrollment period?    

Open enrollment typically occurs in the fall, usually in October or November, as determined by the New York City Office of Labor Relations. Any changes to your benefits will become effective in January of the following year, starting with the first full paycheck of that year. Please note that if you are not making changes to your current benefits, you do not need to submit any forms.

If I do not want to change my health insurance plan during Open Enrollment, do I still need to complete a form?    

No action is required if you are not making changes to your health insurance plan. 

What is COBRA? 

The Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) mandates that the City offer employees, retirees, and their families the option to continue group health and/or welfare fund coverage in certain situations where the coverage would otherwise end. The monthly premium will be 102% of the group rate. All group health benefits, including Optional Riders, are available. The maximum coverage period under COBRA is 36 months.

Can I change my benefits plan at any time? 

No, the benefits plan can only be changed during the open enrollment period or due to a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child or a change in marital status, within 30 days of the event.

I just became a new parent. How can I add my newborn or adopted child to my health insurance?   

The birth or adoption of your child is a qualifying event that allows you to add your newborn or adopted child to your health insurance. To add your child, you must complete the Health Benefits Application and submit it within thirty (30) days of the birth or adoption date. The new application will replace the one currently on file, so all dependents, including your newborn or adopted child, must be listed. You will also need to provide the child's birth certificate or adoption paperwork, along with their social security number.
 

Are adjunct faculty eligible to participate in the FSA program?

Teaching adjuncts and non-teaching adjuncts are ineligible to participate in the FSA program due to having breaks in their paychecks throughout the year.

Does the FSA automatically renew each year?

No, to renew your FSA, you must complete the updated form that is mailed to you by FSA during the open enrollment period. If you do not wish to continue in the program, no further action is required.

What are the PSC CUNY Welfare Fund benefits and how can I enroll? 

The PSC CUNY Welfare Fund offers prescription drug, dental, vision, and hearing aid benefits.  To enroll, you must submit an enrollment form along with your health benefits application. These benefits typically take effect on the first day of the month following your application. For more details on the available benefits, visit: https://www.psccunywf.org/actives/welfare-fund-benefits

I am a PSC represented employee; can I cancel my union dues?

Yes, you may contact the PSC by calling 212-354-1252 or by emailing psc@pscmail.org for information on how to cancel your union dues.
 

I am a newly hired full-time employee, I am not sure which pension plan to enroll in. Can you assist me?

Depending on your employee classification, pension plans such as NYCERS or TRS, are defined benefit plans. Defined benefits plans are where benefits are based on age, final average salary, and years of employment.  A defined contribution (401a) plan from TIAA Optional Retirement Program is also offered. For classified employees, only NYCERS is offered as the defined benefit plan. For PSC-represented employees, you will have the choice between TRS or TIAA ORP. To better assist you, here is a comparison of the pension types we offer: 

Benefits-Pension Plan Comparison

How are TRS and TIAA ORP different?

The Teacher’s Retirement System of the City of New York (TRS)

TRS is a qualified public pension plan (QPP) funded by both pre-tax employee and employer contributions. Employer contributions are based on the total actuarial value assessed by the City of New York and are not specific to an employee’s account. The vesting period to fully own the retirement account, including employer contributions, is 5 years. The amount received at retirement is not affected by investment performance, but is determined actuarially on factors such as age, final average salary and total service credit. 

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) sponsored by Teachers’ Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA)

The ORP is a 401(a) defined contribution plan with a 366-day vesting period. Employer contributions are 8% of your compensation during the first 7 years of plan enrollment. After 7 years of participation, employer contributions increase to 10% of your compensation. The benefit available at retirement is based on the total value of your account, which is determined by employee contributions, employer contributions, and investment performance.

What happens to my retirement benefits if I leave CUNY?  

If you leave CUNY, your retirement benefits will depend on your vested status. If you are vested, you will be entitled to your pension benefits when you reach retirement age. If not, you may be able to transfer your contributions into another qualified retirement plan at your new employer. 

I am an adjunct faculty and trying to create a TRS account, but I need my TRS number. How can I create an account? 

You must first register to become a TRS member on the TRS website at trsnyc.org. Once on the site, click on "TRS Member Registration" to enroll in TRS. After completing the registration, you will be able to create a TRS account as a new member.

Please note that the TRS membership number appears only on City paystubs (CUNY Community Colleges), not on paystubs from Senior Colleges like City College.

How do I start the retirement process and what forms do I need? 

You begin by submitting a Travia Leave or Terminal Leave form to indicate your last day of work. Based on your last day of work, Human Resources will calculate your actual retirement date based on your time and leave balances. 

• Application for Retirement Leave (Travia) for PSC-Represented Staff
• Application for Terminal Leave Form (Classified Staff)

Contact the benefits team for more information at benefits@ccny.cuny.edu or by calling 212-650-7796. 

More information on retirement can be found on our Retirement page. 

What is FMLA and how does it affect my benefits?   

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualifying reasons, such as a serious health condition or to care for a family member. During FMLA leave, your health insurance will continue as long as you continue to pay your portion of the premiums if the leave is unpaid. Paid FMLA will not interrupt your benefits

What is the FMLA plan year?   

The FMLA plan year is from Sept 1 to August 31. The plan year refers to the 12-month period that determines an employee's eligibility for leave, and to track the amount of leave an employee is entitled to under the FMLA.

How can I qualify for FMLA?    

To be eligible, an employee must have been employed by the University for at least 12 months, and must have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours during the 12-month period preceding the requested start of the leave.

How soon after an employee provides notice of leave must HR inform the employee that the leave will be designated as FMLA?   

We must notify an employee within five business days if their leave will be designated as FMLA, unless extenuating circumstances exist.

The notice must include whether the leave will be paid or unpaid, and if a fitness-for-duty certification is required to return to work.

If the leave duration is known, the notice must specify how many days will count against the employee’s FMLA entitlement. If the duration is unknown, this information must be provided upon request, but no more than once every 30 days.

How much notice is required when an employee needs to take FMLA?   

Ideally submit the request for leave at least 30 days before the start of your leave, or as soon as possible if advance notice is not feasible.

How much medical information must an employee provide for FMLA to be approved?  

For FMLA approval, an employee must provide sufficient medical information to verify the need for leave due to a serious health condition. This typically includes a certification form from a healthcare provider that outlines the nature of the condition, the expected duration of the leave, and how the condition affects the employee's ability to work or care for a family member. 

Can FMLA be taken intermittently?  

Yes, the equivalent of 12 weeks is 60 workdays, which can be taken in an FMLA plan year.
Is FMLA paid or unpaid?    "FMLA leave can be paid if an employee has available Sick or Annual Leave accruals. If no accruals are available, the leave will be unpaid. Generally, when FMLA is used for an employee's own serious illness, they will use their Sick leave accruals. However, employees can only use up to 3 Sick days to care for a family member. After that, if available, they may use Annual leave. 
Please note that if teaching faculty is on FMLA to care for a family member, they can use 3 Sick Days. The remaining of the FMLA leave will be unpaid.

Is the employee's health insurance maintained during FMLA?

Whether the FMLA leave is paid or unpaid, the employee's health coverage must be maintained for the full 12 weeks of leave (or 60 workdays, if the leave is taken intermittently). If the leave is unpaid, the employee will be responsible for paying their share of the health insurance premiums, if applicable.

When an employee transfers between colleges, how should the new campus handle a request for FMLA? 

CUNY is considered one employer, so transferring to a new campus does not entitle an employee to take an additional 12 weeks of FMLA leave. Communication should be made between campuses to ensure that the total 12 weeks of FMLA leave is not exceeded. The employee’s former campus will inform the new campus about the employee’s current or previous FMLA usage in the plan year, including how much FMLA leave has already been utilized.

What effect does FMLA have on an employee's service credits?

Paid FMLA leave counts as service, so an employee on paid FMLA does not break service for purposes of reappointment

Paid FMLA leave counts as service, meaning that an employee on paid FMLA does not interrupt their service for purposes such as reappointments, tenure clocks, and other employment-related milestones. On the other hand, unpaid FMLA leave acts as a bridge between prior and subsequent services, tenure clock, etc. Unpaid FMLA leave serves as a bridge between prior and subsequent service.

What effect does FMLA have on an employee's retirement? 

Any period FMLA leave cannot be treated as a break in service for the purpose of vesting in a pension or retirement plan. Employees on paid FMLA will continue to make their mandatory contributions to NYCERS, TRS, or TIAA (ORP). However, employees on unpaid FMLA leave will not receive service credit for the time spent on unpaid leave.

What happens if I resign while on FMLA?

If you choose to separate from employment while on FMLA, please follow the standard separation process by submitting your resignation letter to both your supervisor and Human Resources.

What happens if an employee does not submit a requested medical or fitness-for-duty certification?  

If an employee fails to timely submit a properly requested medical certification, FMLA protection for the leave may be delayed or denied. If an employee fails to provides medical certification, the leave cannot be considered as FMLA leave. If an employee fails to submit a properly requested Fitness-for-Duty certification, this may result in delaying job restoration until the employee provides the certification. If an employee never provides the certification, the employee may be denied reinstatement.

More information on FMLA can be found on our Leaves page.