Building partnerships through collaboration.
GSEU Benefits
Your employment-related benefits are negotiated by New York state and your bargaining unit, GSEU (Graduate StudentEmployee Union). These are your benefits if both these are true:
- Your affiliation to UB is with the state
- Your negotiating unit is 28
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
ERS is a defined benefit plan that provides a fixed, lifetime monthly income at retirement. Your benefit amount is calcuated based on age, years of service and final average salary.
Vesting is the service period required to become eligible for a benefit at retirement. ERS requires a 10-year full time service credit vesting period.
You will contribute to the pension for the duration of employment based on your salary.
| Annual Salary | Employee Contribution |
|---|---|
| $45,000.00 or less | 3.00% |
| $45,000.01 - $55,000.00 | 3.50% |
| $55,000.01 - $75,000.00 | 4.50% |
| $75,000.01 - $100,000.00 | 5.75% |
| $100,000.01 or more | 6.00% |
How to Enroll
Full-time employees must enroll in a plan no later than 30 days from their appointment begin date. Enrolling past this deadline may affect retirement benefits. Part-time employees can enroll at any time.
Enrollment Steps
Retirement plan enrollments must be completed through the SUNY Retirement@Work website.
- Go to SUNY Retirement@Work and set up your account.
- Make your plan election for ERS. Your enrollment request will be sent to Human Resources for approval.
- Complete the ERS Membership Registration RS 5420 Form. Please note that you will receive an email about completing the form from Retirement@Work as well.
- Submit the membership registration form to Human Resources in Townsend Hall, South Campus.
Need Help?
For assistance with Retirement@Work, contact the helpline at 866-271-0960, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 10 pm (ET), and Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm (ET).
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
All enrollments must be completed online through the SUNY Retirement@Work website.
- Go to SUNY Retirement@Work to set up your account.
- Follow the steps to enroll and elect your bi-weekly deduction.
- Indicate which SUNY Approved Retirement Vendor(s) you would like your contributions to go to.
For assistance with Retirement@Work, contact the helpline at 844-567-9090.
How to Manage Your Account
Meet With a Financial Advisor
Contribution Considerations
When determining your deduction, keep in mind that they must be elected as a bi-weekly flat dollar amount. If the amount indicated is higher than what can be taken from your pay, no deduction will be taken at all. Employees must monitor their deductions and take action to adjust them as necessary. If you need help in determining your contribution, contact an investment advisor.
How to Enroll
You will need the following information:
- Employer Name: OSC
- Department/Division: 28030
How to Manage Your Account
Contact for Questions or Meet With a Financial Advisor
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
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