Dear Colleagues,
Open enrollment for the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) has started and continues through December 12! The PEP program provides a means by which eligible employees – generally, NYSHIP enrollees who earn vacation and currently make less than $103,433 a year – may cash in previously accrued vacation days for a bi-weekly credit to reduce the cost of their health insurance premiums. The number of days that may be forfeited to receive this credit varies based on income.
Full-time employees with an annual salary at or below $72,366 who enroll in PEP for 2023 will forfeit either three days or six days of annual leave in return for a credit of up to $600 or $1,200 that will be used to reduce the employee share of NYSHIP premiums deducted from paychecks in 2023.
Full-time employees with an annual salary above $72,366 and below $103,413 who enroll in PEP for 2023 will forfeit either two days or four days of annual leave in return for a credit of up to $600 or $1,200 that will be used to reduce the employee share of NYSHIP premiums deducted from paychecks in 2023.
Benefits-eligible part-time employees with annualized salaries within the above ranges, who earn vacation and who choose to enroll in PEP will forfeit prorated days of annual leave and receive a prorated credit toward their health insurance premiums based on their payroll percentage.
Attached the SUNY-wide program description which contains more detailed information about PEP for your information. Campus specific information and direction from the university can be found at: https://www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/announcements.host.html/content/shared/www/administrative-services/news/2022/state-emps-enroll-pep.detail.html
In Solidarity,
Ken Kern
Chapter President
UUP Buffalo Center
Document can be found here