SUNY Oswego appreciates and recognizes the work of its employees in carrying out the mission of the college. The information in this section is to help you make the most of your retirement benefits.
Choosing a Retirement System
Login to RetirementAtWork enroll in a retirement system if you're a new employee or make changes to your voluntary retirement deductions if you're an existing employee.
Related Links
How to make retirement 403b account changes and instructions for users
ERS Pension Calculator (Only for Tiers I-IV)
NYSLRS (ERS) Member Info- Retirement On-Line
Self-Help Guide to Pre-retirement planning for NYS employees (including videos)
Planning Your Successful Retirement (Video Guide)
403(b) Retirement Savings Program
SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan Vignette- 2 minute VSP overview
SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan (VSP) Presentation- 7 minute VSP Plan highlights
The Power of SUNY Retirees: Lessons Learned from Over 100 Retirement Stories by Ram L. Chugh
Do I have to meet with someone from the Human Resources Office when I am ready to retire?
Yes, we recommend making an appointment 2 months prior to your anticipated retirement date. You must email the Human Resources Office at hr@oswego.edu to make an appointment.
At your appointment, you will receive information and instructions about your retiree benefits as well as the required forms that must be completed in order to continue your health insurance /prescription drug benefits in retirement.
How do I start collecting my pension?
You will need to contact your retirement plan directly. We suggest you meet with them within 30 days of your anticipated retirement date.
Contact Information for Each Retirement Plan
- New York State Employees Retirement System (ERS)
(518) 474-7736 or 1-866-805-0990
- New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS)
(866)-805-0990
- New York State Teachers Retirement System (TRS)
(800) 348-7298
- Optional Retirement Plan (ORP i.e. TIAA)
(800) 842-2776
Will my health insurance coverage continue in retirement?
Yes, the health insurance and prescription drug coverage that you are enrolled in as an active employee will continue into retirement if you meet the eligibility requirements. You may also continue to cover eligible dependents under your family coverage.
What are the eligibility requirements for continuing health insurance/prescription drug coverage in retirement?
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You must be 55 years of age or older at retirement.
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At retirement, you must have ten or more years of service in a position eligible for health insurance with SUNY or a participating agency.
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You must be participating in a health insurance plan immediately preceding your retirement date.
Will my dental and vision care benefits continue in retirement?
Dental and vision benefits are not part of your NYSHIP health benefits and do not continue automatically into retirement. Some unions (ie. CSEA & UUP) provide a retiree dental/vision care plan; therefore, please contact your union for that information.
If you receive dental and vision benefits through the State plan, you can continue them under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Individuals or covered dependents eligible for COBRA may continue certain benefits at group rates for up to 36 months, when coverage would otherwise end.
Sick leave credits cannot be used to reduce the premium for dental and vision benefits through COBRA.
Will I receive a new health insurance identification card after I retire?
Empire Plan Enrollees- When you retire from State service, you will not be issues a new benefits card unless other changes to your coverage coincide with your change in status, such as adding or removing a dependent, you will continue to use the benefit card you used as an active employee. There is no expiration date on your card. This card includes your name and the names of your covered dependents.
HMO Enrollees- Upon enrollment in a NYSHIP HMO, you will receive a NYSHIP HMO card that will continue to be used as a retiree. If you or your dependent becomes Medicare primary, you will be enrolled in the HMO Medicare Advantage Plan and you or your dependent will receive a new card. You may also receive an additional prescription drug card. If you have any questions concerning your card, including how to order a new one, contact your HMO.
Who do I contact with questions about my health insurance/prescription drug coverage after I retire?
After retirement, the New York State Department of Civil Service, Employee Benefits Division, in Albany will be responsible for any questions or changes in your coverage.
They can be reached at (518) 457-5754 or (800) 833-4344.
What is the cost of health insurance/prescription drug coverage in retirement?
The cost of coverage changes each year on January 1. However, the state continues to pay 69-73% of the full cost for family coverage and 84-88% of the full cost for individual coverage.
To learn the current monthly premiums for retiree coverage, please visit the New York State website and look under the retiree section.
How will I pay for my retiree health insurance/prescription drug coverage?
At retirement, up to 200 days of your unused sick leave accruals will be converted to a monthly lifetime credit and used to offset the cost of the coverage.
You will pay for your coverage only if the premium exceeds your monthly lifetime credit. In that case, you will pay the difference between your monthly lifetime credit and the premium.
How is the monthly lifetime credit calculated?
The monthly lifetime credit is calculated using a formula that includes the number of your accrued sick leave days, your salary, your age, and an actuarial table.
How will I pay for my retiree health insurance/prescription drug coverage if my monthly credit does not cover the full cost of the monthly premium?
If you are a retiree of one of the state retirement plans, the difference in cost will be deducted each month from your pension check.
If you are a retiree of the ORP, you will receive a bill for the difference in cost from the Division of Employee Benefits on a monthly basis.
If I predecease my covered spouse after retirement, can my spouse continue health insurance coverage under my plan?
Yes, as long as your spouse remains un-remarried, coverage can continue under your plan. Your spouse will be required to contact the Division of Employee Benefits for the necessary details.
How will my covered spouse pay for the retiree health insurance coverage after my death?
At retirement, you may specify that you want your surviving spouse to use your monthly lifetime credit to offset the cost of the survivor health insurance premium. This is called the Dual Annuitant Sick Leave Credit, the form needs to be completed and handed in prior to the retirement date.
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If, at retirement, you choose to use 70% of your monthly lifetime credit, your surviving spouse will continue to use the same 70% monthly lifetime credit to offset the cost of their premium.
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If, at retirement, you choose to use 100% of your monthly lifetime credit, the credit will stop upon your death and your surviving spouse will pay the Eligible Survivors premium in effect at the time.
Can I change my health insurance plan after retirement?
Yes, you can change your plan once during any twelve month period by contacting the Division of Employee Benefits at (800) 833-4344.
Does my retiree health insurance coverage change when I, or my covered dependent, reaches age 65?
Yes, when you and/or your covered dependent reach age 65, you must apply for Medicare Parts A & B, which will become your primary health insurance coverage.
Your state health insurance plan will be your secondary coverage.
When and how do I apply for Medicare B?
Approximately three months before you and/or your covered dependent reach age 65 or, within 3 months of your retirement date at age 65 or older, contact your local Social Security Administration at (866) 964-7593 to apply.
If your dependent is under the age of 65 but is receiving Social Security Disability payments for 24 months or more, your dependent must also apply for Medicare B.
Is there a cost associated with Medicare B?
Yes, the monthly cost of Medicare B usually changes each year on January 1 and is automatically deducted each month from your social security check.
Please contact the Social Security Administration to determine the current cost of Medicare B coverage.
Will I be reimbursed for the cost of Medicare B?
Yes, because the state shares responsibility for your health insurance coverage with Medicare, the Division of Employee Benefits will reimburse you for the cost of Medicare B. If your spouse is a dependent on your state health insurance plan, the Division of Employee Benefits will reimburse you for the cost of your spouse’s Medicare B coverage when applicable.
Beginning January 1, 2007, the Medicare Part B premium charges have been changed to a tiered basis which is determined by Individual or Joint income in retirement (IRMAA). The state will annually reimburse the minimum or basic premium charged in each calendar year. The Medicare eligible retiree (and/or eligible dependent) who is required to pay additional Medicare Part B cost under IRMAA must contact the Civil Service Employee Benefits Division (EBD) to apply for such reimbursement. You will be required to provide:
- A copy of the letter the Social Security Administrayion sent to notify you of the additional amount you are responsible for paying and
- Proof of payment (for example, a copy of SSA-1099, which the Social Security Administration will provide to you in January for payments made the prior year, or copies of billing statements from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
How will I be reimbursed for the cost of Medicare B?
If you are a retiree of one of the state retirement plans, the Division of Employee Benefits will include the reimbursement for yourself and/or your spouse in your monthly retirement check.
If you are a retiree of the ORP, you will be reimbursed by separate check on a quarterly basis. **Unless your health insurance premium exceeds your sick leave credit. Then, the Medicare B premium will be applied to your health insurance premium.**
Who will notify my retirement plan of my intention to retire?
It is your responsibility to notify your retirement plan of your intention to retire.
The NYS Employees Retirement System is the only plan that requires 30 to 90 days’ notice of retirement intention.
How do I notify my department of my intention to retire?
UUP and M/C employees must notify their departments in writing at least 1 month before their retirement date.
CSEA, PEF, PBANYS, and NYSCOPBA employees must notify their departments in writing at least 2 weeks before their retirement date.
What information should I put in my retirement letter to my department?
Your retirement letter must state that you are retiring from SUNY Oswego and include your last day on the payroll.
For example, if your last day on the payroll is June 1, 20__, your letter would state in part retiring on June 1, 20__ close of business.
Does the Human Resources Office require a copy of my retirement letter?
Yes, a copy of your letter must be sent to the Human Resources Office.
When does the Human Resources Office process my retiree benefits?
The Human Resources Office must have the total number of sick leave days/hours that you have accrued by your retirement date in order to process your retiree Benefits.
The Time and Attendance Section of HRS will not release this information until they have received and processed your final timesheet. Therefore, it is vital for you to ensure that your final timesheet reaches HRS on a timely basis.