Port Jefferson UFSD Newsletter
Human Resources - 7th Edition - October 2023
Saying Goodbye!
This will be my last Newsletter for Port Jefferson - I will be saying goodbye on November 10, 2023. It has been truly an amazing experience working with such talented and caring individuals. You will surely be missed!
Isha
Happy Retirement
"To be idle is sometimes an excellent way of being busy." Thomas Carlyle
Cynthia Dellacona
Ms. Dellacona will be retiring from the position of Principal Office Assistant in the Special Education Department at District Office. She will be leaving effective October 30, 2023
WELCOME NEW STAFF!!
Ms. Siobhan Costigliola
Ms. Samantha Walsh
Thinking about Retiring?
Here's what you need to do:
STEP 1: Review your contract - http://portjeffschools.org/boe/bargaining_agreements
- Are there any deadlines for submitting your letter of intent to retire?
- Do you receive any payout for sick/vacation days? What are the conditions (cash or an employer non-elective contribution- 403B only)
- Do you need to set up a 403B through OMNI: https://www.omni403b.com/ or 1-877-544-6664
STEP 2: Contact TRS/ERS - Do you qualify to retire?
- TRS - https://www.nystrs.org/Employers/Administrative-Bulletins/2018-Bulletins Retirement Customer Service 1-800-348-7298 ext 6250
- ERS -https://www.osc.state.ny.us/retirement 1-866-805-0990/1-518-474-7736
1. Be in a class or category of employee that is eligible for coverage in retirement.
2. Complete your employer’s minimum service requirement.
You must satisfy the service requirement of the employer from which you are retiring. NYSHIP requires at least five years of benefits- eligible service. The service does not need to be continuous. If you were most recently hired with your agency on or after April 1, 1975, your agency may elect —administratively or through collective bargaining — to establish a service requirement greater than five years. This requirement may apply to all employees or to one or more classes or categories of employees.
3. Satisfy requirements for retiring as a member of a retirement system.
You must be qualified for retirement as a member of a retirement system administered by New York State, such as the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), which comprises the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS), or the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System or any of New York State’s political subdivisions.
4. Be enrolled in coverage through an employer that participates in NYSHIP.
You may satisfy this requirement by being enrolled at the time of retirement in:
• NYSHIP as an enrollee or dependent.
• An alternative health benefit option (including a buyout program - in which an employee declines health insurance enrollment in exchange for a cash payment) provided by your NYSHIP participating employer.
The following examples satisfy the requirement to be enrolled in a NYSHIP employer- sponsored option at the time of retirement:
Example 1: Paul is covered as a dependent of his wife, Elizabeth. Both Paul and Elizabeth work for employers that offer NYSHIP coverage.
Example 2: William is enrolled in an HMO option offered by his employer. His employer also offers NYSHIP coverage.
Example 3: **Linda selected a buyout option through her Participating Agency that offers NYSHIP coverage.
** Employees who accept the health insurance buyout will not be allowed to enroll in NYSHIP until the end of the buyout period (6/30/__), unless they experience a qualifying event as defined by the IRS. Retirement during the buyout period will be considered a qualifying event for the purpose of enrolling in NYSHIP immediately upon retirement; however , an employee who establishes eligibility to continue NYSHIP in retirement and is participating in the buyout, may defer enrollment as a retiree until a later date, subject to normal late enrollment waiting periods...
- Dental - JJ Stanis coverage may be continued into retirement.
- Vision/EMM - NVA coverage may be continued into retirement.
- Group Life Insurance - JJ Stanis (Renaissance) coverage will terminate with Port Jefferson UFSD upon retirement. However, if you wish to continue your life insurance plan directly with JJ Stanis, you will have to contact them at 516-465-3900.
Step 4 - If you're 65 or over at time of Retirement, if not skip to Step 5
- Medicare Benefits - 1-800-633-4227 or https://www.medicare.gov/
- You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B at the time of retirement to continue NYSHIP coverage.
- Medicare becomes primary and NYSHIP becomes secondary at time of retirement.
- Medicare & NYSHIP Brochure (see attached)
Step 5 - Schedule a meeting with Human Resources
- Schedule a meeting with HR to review and discuss your benefits into retirement once you have reviewed and completed steps 1-3 @ imorgens@portjeffschools.org or 631-791-4236.
Benefits Corner
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are IRS-approved accounts that allow you to pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses on a tax-free basis. When you enroll in an employer-sponsored Flexible Spending Account, your contributions are not subject to Federal, FICA and most state taxes. This means you bring home more money in your paycheck
MEDICAL FSA (MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR YOUR FAMILY )
WHAT ARE THESE FUNDS USED FOR?
Funds can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses provided to you, your spouse, or eligible dependents.
WHEN CAN I START USING THE FUNDS IN MY ACCOUNT ?
Your full plan year election is available to use on the first day of the plan year.
WHAT IS AN ELIGIBLE EXPENSE ?
You can use these funds to pay for expenses that primarily prevent, treat, diagnose or alleviate a physical or mental defect or illness. Common eligible expenses include:
• Copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses
• Dental care (e.g. exams, fillings, crowns)
• Vision care, eyeglasses, contact lenses
• Chiropractic care
• Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs and medicines
WHAT ISN’T ALLOWED?
• You cannot use these funds to pay for expenses that are for personal care, cosmetic, or general health purposes.
• You cannot reimburse expenses from any other source (e.g. insurance).
• You cannot have a Medical FSA if you are enrolled in a Health Savings Account (HSA).
However, a Limited Purpose FSA may be available.
DEPENDEN T CARE FSA (DAYCARE EXPENSES)
WHAT ARE THESE FUNDS USED FOR?
Funds can be used for a qualified person, who is often one of the following:
• A dependent child under the age of 13 for whom you can claim a tax exemption.
• A spouse or dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and for whom
you can claim a tax exemption.
WHEN CAN I START USING THE FUNDS IN MY ACCOUNT ?
Dependent Care funds become available as they are deposited from payroll.
WHAT IS AN ELIGIBLE EXPENSE ?
You can pay for expenses that enable you or your spouse to be gainfully employed, look for work, or attend school full-time. Common eligible expenses include:
• Before & after school care
• Child care
• Day care in a facility
• In-home dependent care
• Nursery school
• Adult care
WHAT ISN’T ALLOWED?
You cannot use these funds to pay for services provided for education, overnight camps, or
services provided by the child’s parent or other dependent for income tax purposes You also
cannot claim a federal tax credit for any expenses reimbursed through your Dependent Care FSA . Consult a tax professional to determine if a Dependent Care FSA or the federal tax credit would be more advantageous.
MENTAL HEALTH CORNER
Here are nine ways to find positivity at work:
Create a positive tone to start each day.
Concentrate on constructive thoughts.
Accept responsibility and take control.
Express appreciation regularly.
Promote teamwork and inclusivity.
Maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Build strong relationships at work.
Approach your work with purpose.
Set goals that excite you.
Excel Tips
Data
=A2+A3 Adds the values in cells A1 and A2
=A2-A3 Subtracts the value in cell A2 from the value in A1
=A2/A3 Divides the value in cell A1 by the value in A2
=A2*A3 Multiplies the value in cell A1 times the value in A2
Learn more about our Policies
The Board of Education recognizes the obligation of the district to effectively and efficiently administer benefits to eligible retirees. It is important that retirees receive the benefits to which they are entitled and it is essential that the district administer the program in a manner that is fiscally responsible. To this end, the Board requires that the Assistant Superintendent for Business oversees the benefits program and develop procedures to minimize the risk of fraud, waste and abuse.
Procedures instituted by the business office shall include periodic monitoring of the status of all retirees and their spouses and/or dependents to verify eligibility. The district will make every effort to keep its records up to date, utilizing databases, annual canvasses/questionnaires or other resources, as appropriate, to avoid making payments that are inaccurate, or payments to or on behalf of individuals who are ineligible.
The Board further expects that the district's system of internal controls and its various audit functions will include this aspect of district operations and be included in applicable reports, as appropriate.
What is EAP?
It's an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through BOCES: https://www.portjeff.k12.ny.us/download/pdfs/Business_Office/Benefits/EAPRightForMeBrochure.pdf, that provides confidential crisis intervention, assessment and referral services to employees, retired employees and their families.
Below are a few examples of services EAP provides counseling for:
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Communication
- Depression
- Domestic Violence
- Marital conflict
- Self-esteem
EAP provides services 12 months a year and is available during school breaks and summer. They have both daytime and evening hours. To schedule an appointment or would like additional information, you can call (631) 289-0480 or visit their website: www.esboces.org/EAP and visit the EAP orientation PowerPoint presentation on the welcome page
Medford Office
1741D North Ocean Avenue
Medford, NY 11763
631-289-0480
Commack Office
35 Crooked Hill Road, Suite 103
Commack, NY 11725
631-858-9177
Hampton Bays Office
188 W Montauk Hwy, Suite E1
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
631-728-2008
Board of Education
Need to locate our Board Agendas and Minutes: https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/portjeff/Board.nsf/vpublic?open
Bargaining Agreements:
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Human Resources
Regina Booker - Personnel Assistant (Part-time) - Tues & Thurs8am - 4pm/Friday 8am - 11:30am
Email: hr@portjeffschools.org
Website: https://www.portjeffschools.org/departments/human_resources
Phone: 631-791-4251