The University Benefits Office administers all
employee benefits programs available to
University employees and retirees. Essential
functions performed by the University Benefits
Office are to:
- Develop and implement policies that guide benefits administration for CUNY's active full-time instructional and classified staff, its retirees, the Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCs) and students;
- Work with City and or State agencies, unions and health benefits providers to ensure that health, welfare and retirement benefit programs are maintained with integrity and in compliance with all regulatory requirements;
- Represent CUNY in the negotiations of health benefit plans for the EOCs and the students, and actively participating as a Trustee of the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund;
- Provide guidance to CUNY administration, the colleges' human resources directors, benefits officers, payroll officers and labor designees in matters of benefits administration or interpretation of policies and procedures;
- Review data and audit reports provided by the colleges for vendor payment authorizations; and
- Authorize adjustments for University and employee underpayments or overpayments for retirement benefits.
The types of benefits managed through the University Benefits Office include health, welfare, pension, tax-deferred savings plans, domestic partners benefits, tuition waiver program, and the Transit Benefit program.
In addition, the unit has been responsible for the overall administration of early retirement incentive programs, including the development of program parameters, communication of program contents to eligible employees, group and individual counseling, determination of program eligibility and the payment of lump sum benefits under the programs.
The University Benefits Office has undertaken compliance and financial audits of the Optional Retirement Program, the University's tax-deferred annuity programs, the New York City Employee Benefits Program (health insurance), and the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund.
