Monthly Program Updates

 Pre-Retirement Planning Information

New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS)

What is a COLA, cost-of-living adjustment?

A COLA payment is an adjustment based on the cost-of-living index that will permanently increase the retirement benefit you receive from the NYS Pension system. It is designed to address inflation as it occurs. Payments for COLA equal 50 percent of the cost-of-living index and could be as much as three percent, but no less than one percent of the first $18,000 of your Single Life Allowance retirement benefit amount. Once COLA payments begin, they continue automatically and increase each September. To receive any COLA adjustment, you must be:

• Age 62 or older and retired for five or more years.
• Age 55 or older and retired for 10 or more years (mostly uniformed employees such as police officers, firefighters, corrections officers or those who retired under an incentive).
• Receiving a disability pension from the NYS Pension system for five or more years.

For more information on your pension benefits call (toll-free) (866) 805-0990 or visit: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/retire.

NYS Network Child Care Center Highlight

This month we are spotlighting the SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center.

The SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center began offering child care services in 1990. The Center serves children and families of State employees, including SUNY Potsdam faculty and staff, and the community at large. All State employees receive priority enrollment.

The Center provides care for infants beginning at six weeks old, toddlers, and preschool children. Care for school-age children after-school, during holidays and snow days is available for children ages five to nine.   

The Center’s program is based on the philosophy that each child has unique, individual needs, and developmental patterns. Experiences are planned for the children to promote the development of emotional, social, intellectual, and physical/motor abilities. The curriculum plans focus on the child's need to grow and learn and enhances the development of a positive self-image.

Some quick facts about the SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center:

• The Center is open year-around, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., during the academic year, and 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., during the summer session.
• The Center has a licensed capacity of 103 children.
• The program provides healthy food choices for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

For additional information, contact the Center by phone at (315) 267-2391 or by emailing the Center at: [email protected].

For a full list of the NYS Network Child Care Centers and additional child care information, go to: NYS Network Child Care Centers.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

November is EAP Month

The New York State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has been in existence for 40 years offering confidential assistance at no cost. EAP is available 24/7 for employees and their family members and can help prevent everyday personal or work-related problems from getting worse through resources and referrals. Over 250 specially trained coordinators are available in agencies and facilities statewide to meet with employees in-person or by phone to provide support, information, assess problems, and customized referrals to local resources. Coordinators also assist agency staff when critical incidents occur, and have made over 20,000 client contacts per year. Look for 40^th anniversary promotional events throughout the month. 

For information, assessment, and referral services for a variety of issues or just to introduce yourself, contact your EAP coordinator using the coordinator listing or calling 1-800-822-0244.