Dear Colleagues,
As a reminder, the PEP program provides a means by which eligible employees – generally, NYSHIP enrollees who earn vacation and currently make less than $111,905 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 $78,309 who enroll in PEP for 2025 will forfeit either four days or eight days of annual leave in return for a credit of up to $800 or $1,600 that will be used to reduce the employee share of NYSHIP premiums deducted from paychecks in 2025.
Full-time employees with an annual salary above $78,309 and below $111,905 who enroll in PEP for 2025 will forfeit either two and one-half days or five days of annual leave in return for a credit of up to $750 or $1,500 that will be used to reduce the employee share of NYSHIP premiums deducted from paychecks in 2025.
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.
Campus specific information and direction from the university can be found at:
In Solidarity,
Ken Kern
Chapter President
UUP Buffalo Center