Building partnerships through collaboration.
M/C Professional Benefits
These are your M/C Professional (Management Confidential Professional) benefits if your affiliation with UB is New York State and your group number is 13.
Not Your Group?
Return to My Benefits.
Retirement
It's Not Too Early To Start Planning
Learn about:
• The retirement process
• Your retirement benefits
> Register For a Retirement Planning Session
> Read About Planning My State Retirement
Retirement Plan Options
The University at Buffalo is proud to offer excellent retirement plan options as a part of your benefits package. Human Resources is here to answer any questions you may have regarding the plans but cannot provide financial advisement nor recommend plan options. Your decision should be made carefully as once your election is received, it is irrevocable.
Eligibility
All state funded employees are eligible to enroll in ERS.
About the Plan
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.
Eligibility
PFRS is available for University Police Officers appointed by SUNY. Depending on title, some employees in unclassified service may be eligible to join.
About the Plan
The Police and Fire Retirment System (PFRS) 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.
Eligibility
Membership is open to employees in a select group of titles, including: all faculty titles, librarian or coach titles, or in the titles of chancellor, president, vice-president, provost, dean, associate dean, or assistant dean.
About the Plan
The Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) 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.
Eligibility
The ORP is only available to state funded employees appointed to a faculty or professional title in a full time, geographic full time (GFT) or part time term position. Part time temporary employees are not eligible.
About the Plan
The SUNY Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is a defined contribution New York State Public Retirement Plan. Retirement benefits will depend on the value upon distribution of individually owned annuity contracts from one or more of the currently Authorized Investment Providers for the SUNY ORP.
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.
Vesting occurs after 366 days of active service. This period may be waived for employees coming to SUNY with active employer sponsored retirement annuity contracts from one of the SUNY currently Authorized Investment Providers. All contributions will become the property of, and all investments will be directed by, the participant upon vesting.
Tier 6 members are required to contribute a specific percentage of your pensionable earnings for all your years of public service after your date of membership. The current Employer Contribution Rate is 8% of gross salary for the first seven years of active membership service, and 10% thereafter.
How to Enroll
Choose one plan to enroll in. Full-time (with appointments of 3 months or more), permanent, employees are required to join a Retirement System within 30 days of their appointment/hire date. Enrolling past this deadline may affect retirement benefits.
Review Your Options Carefully
Once your election is made, you will generally not be allowed to change Retirement Systems, unless you have a change in your employment title making you eligible for a different Retirement System for the first time and you opt to change to that System within 30 days of your eligible appointment.
Membership in a Retirement System may not otherwise be changed or withdrawn during your current or any subsequent employment with any SUNY or community college campus.
Employees who elect to participate in a retirement program, but are not required to do so, may not later cancel their election.
Enrollment Steps
All Retirement plan enrollments must be completed through the SUNY Retirement@Work website. See instructions below based on your retirement plan choice.
Complete your ORP retirement plan election through the SUNY Retirement@Work website. See the enrollment guide below.
Enrollment is a two-step process. You must complete both steps to enroll.
- Complete your ERS or PFRS 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.
Enrollment is a two-step process. You must complete both steps to enroll.
- 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.
Your original notarized form must be provided to Benefit Services:
University at Buffalo Human Resources
Attn: Benefit Services, Townsend Hall
205 Hayes Road
Buffalo, NY 14214-8036
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