Military Service
If you are called to active military duty, you will be paid for up to 22 work days or 30 calendar days, whichever is greater, during any one calendar year or any continuous period of ordered military service. After paid leave is exhausted, you may use accrued vacation, holiday or personal leave credit or be put on leave without pay for the period of your military duty.
You may be entitled to re-employment rights and retention of full seniority benefits for all prior service upon re-employment under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and the New York State Military Law.
You need to bring your military service orders to your campus Benefits Office for review prior to commencement of the leave.
Temporary employees may not be eligible for reinstatement following military leave, and reinstatement may not be required for other employees in some circumstances.
As with other leaves of absence, failure to return to work or to reapply within applicable time limits may result in termination of employment.
Effective August 16, 2006, spouses of members of the armed forces who have been deployed during a period of military conflict are allowed to take ten (10) days unpaid leave when that employee’s spouse is on leave from the armed forces.
Health, Dental and Vision Care Plans
During periods of approved military leave under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), your health, dental, and vision care coverage in effect at the time of the leave may be continued for up to 24 months.
You will pay the same share of the premium as an active employee during FMLA leave, the full premium after FMLA leave and up to one year from the beginning of military service, and the COBRA premium rate (100 percent of premium plus a two percent administrative fee) for the next 12 months.
Refer to the COBRA Fact Sheet for more information regarding your coverage.
During periods of approved military leave under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), your health, dental, and vision care coverage in effect at the time of the leave may be continued for up to 24 months.
You will pay the same share of the premium as an active employee during FMLA leave, the full premium after FMLA leave and up to one year from the beginning of military service, and the COBRA premium rate (100 percent of premium plus a two percent administrative fee) for the next 12 months.
Refer to the COBRA Fact Sheet for more information regarding your coverage
Basic Life Insurance
Your basic life insurance coverage in effect at the time of leave will continue for up to one year, provided you pay the full premium.
After one year, you may convert your Basic and Optional Life Insurance coverage to an individual policy. You may not exceed the amount for which you were insured under the RF’s group policy.
In addition, the amount you may convert is reduced by any other group life insurance for which you are eligible, or for which you become eligible within 31 days after your RF insurance ends.
This individual policy will be issued at the insurance company’s regular rates and will not require proof of good health. You must submit an application and pay the first premium within 31 days after your coverage ends.
Contact your campus benefits office for additional information.
Optional Life Insurance
Your optional life insurance coverage in effect at the time of leave will continue for up to one year, provided you pay the full premium.
After one year, instead of converting your Optional Life Insurance coverage to a whole life policy, you may select a lower-cost term life policy.
Premiums, however, will increase as you age and coverage will end at age 70. Portability is not offered when employment termination is due to retirement.
Contact your campus benefits office for additional information.
Basic Retirement Plan
Retirement contributions cease when you go off the payroll while on military leave.
If you return to active employment following military leave, military service qualifying under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Act (USERRA) will be credited towards eligibility and vesting service.
Retroactive contributions will be made to the Basic Retirement Plan for the period of military service, based on your salary in effect at the start of the military leave.
Optional Retirement Plan
During a paid leave of absence, plan contributions will continue to be remitted in accordance with your Salary Reduction Agreement. No contributions will be remitted during an unpaid leave of absence.