Building partnerships through collaboration.
NYSCOPBA Benefits
Your employment-related benefits are negotiated by New York state and your bargaining unit, NYSCOPBA (New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc.). These are your benefits if both these are true:
- Your affiliation is with the state
- Your negotiating unit is 21
Not Your Union?
Return to My Benefits.
Retirement
Retirement Plan Option
The University at Buffalo is proud to offer an excellent retirement plan option as a part of your benefits package. Human Resources is here to answer any questions you may have regarding the plan but cannot provide financial advisement nor make recommendations.
Employees' Retirement System (ERS) Tier VI
The Employees' Retirement System (ERS) is a defined benefit retirement system. Retirement pension benefits will depend on the results of a calculation at the time of retirement that takes into account the Final Average Salary, number of years of credited membership service, and age at the time of retirement.
When you join the retirement system, you are assigned to a tier depending on your date of membership. Your tier will determine your specific plan benefits and vesting period. The current tier availble is Tier 6.
Tier 6 members will be vested once they have accrued five years of full-time credited service. This means you have earned the right to receive a retirement benefit, even if you leave public employment.
Tier 6 members are required to contribute a specific percentage of your reportable earnings for all your years of public service after your date of membership.
How to Enroll
Mandatory members will automatically be enrolled. Employees the retirement system considers optional must take action to enroll.
Enrollment is a two-step process. You must complete both steps to enroll.
Enrollment Steps
- Complete your ERS retirement plan election through the SUNY Retirement@Work website. Follow Instructions in the enrollment guide below.
- Complete and submit the NYSLRS Membership Application form RS 5420 to Benefit Services.
- Complete only the employee section, sign, and date your form. Electronic signatures will be rejected by NYSLRS.
- Save your form with your last name, first name and UB person number.
- Use the secure upload link below to upload your RS 5420 form to Benefit Services.
Contact the Benefits Team
The State Benefit Services Team is available to answer your questions. Use our contact information below to access all team members for the fastest response.
Department Leadership
Contact our department leaders for additional assistance.
![Lissa Jasinowski.]()
Lissa Jasinowski
Assistant Director
Benefits and Work Life Balance
Phone: (716) 645-4488
Email: lmt22@buffalo.edu
Manage My Retirement Plan
Become familiar with your retirement account and manage it personally.
Managing My Retirement Online
Retirement Online is a secure area where you can access and manage your personal retirement information.
Review Plan Benefits By My Tier Number
Applying For Prior Service Credit
Voluntary Retirement Savings
In addition to your retirement plan, you have the opportunity to save extra money for retirement through voluntary retirement plan options. You can establish your voluntary plan at any time and can change your contributions to adjust your needs. There are no employer contributions for voluntary retirement plans.
Plan Options
The University offers the option to enroll in a voluntary 403(b) account and the 457(b) NYS Deferred Compensation Plan.
403(b) Contributions
If you are already contributing to a 403(b) or 401(k) with another employer, the annual limit is applied to all plans combined. 457(b) plans have a separate limit.
Enrollment and Account Management
You may choose to enroll in one or both plan options available. Making contributions to one plan does not affect the other plan.
How to Enroll and Make Changes
All enrollments and changes must be completed online through the SUNY Retirement@Work website. For assistance with Retirement@Work, contact the helpline at 866-271-0960.
How to Enroll and Make Changes
You will need the following information when enrolling online:
- Employer Name: OSC
- Department/Division: 28030
Contact the Benefits Team
The State Benefit Services Team is available to answer your questions. Use our contact information below to access all team members for the fastest response.
Department Leadership
Contact our department leaders for additional assistance.
![Lissa Jasinowski.]()
Lissa Jasinowski
Assistant Director
Benefits and Work Life Balance
Phone: (716) 645-4488
Email: lmt22@buffalo.edu