Informational Resources
Pre-Retirement Planning
Retirement Online Makes Applying for Retirement Fast, Easy
If you are eligible and planning to retire, you don’t need to delay filing. Regardless of your reason for retiring, you can now file for a service retirement benefit using Retirement Online. This new feature makes applying for retirement faster and easier than ever before. If you don’t already have an account, sign up today.
File for a Service Retirement Online
After signing in to your Retirement Online account, scroll down to the My Account Summary. On the right, under the heading ‘I want to…,’ click the green Apply for Retirement button.
From there, you’ll go through a series of screens where you’ll be able to:
- Choose a retirement date (the 15-day waiting period for a NYSLRS member’s retirement to take effect has been temporarily waived by a governor’s executive order)
- Get an estimate of your pension and the payment options available to you
- Select a payment option (many provide a continuing benefit for a beneficiary after you die)
- Sign up for direct deposit
- Attach required documents, such as proof of date of birth
A big advantage of filing for Retirement Online is that you do not have to get anything notarized.
After you click the “Submit” button, it is important that you do not close your browser until you receive a confirmation message that states your retirement application has been successfully submitted. This help guide offers step-by-step instructions.
For More Details, Read Your Retirement Plan Booklet
Your service and disability retirement benefits and death benefits are based on your tier, plan, service credit, and other factors. For details about your available benefits, please read your retirement plan booklet, available on the Publications page, or you can call the Contact Center at 866-805-0990 if you have questions.
Information Source: New York Retirement News – December 2020 https://www.nyretirementnews.com/.
For Pre-Retirement Planning information, go to: Pre-Retirement Planning
Network Child Care Centers
Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Children and Teens
The start of the new year is a great time to help your children focus on forming good habits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides the following list of ideas for you to talk to your children about trying, depending on their age.
Preschoolers
- I will try hard to clean up my toys by putting them where they belong.
- I will let my parents help me brush my teeth twice a day.
- I will wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
- I will learn how to help clear the table when I am done eating.
- I will be friendly to all animals. I will learn how to ask the owners if I can pet their animal first.
- I will do my best to be kind to other kids who need a friend or look sad or lonely.
- I will talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I need help or am scared.
Children (Ages 5 to 12 years old)
- I will drink healthy beverages such as reduced-fat milk and water.
- I will take care of my skin by putting on sunscreen before I go outdoors. I will try to remember to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I'm playing sports.
- I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
- I will always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter, or skateboard.
- I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
- I'll try to be friendly to kids who may have a hard time making friends by asking them to join activities such as sports or games.
- I will tell an adult about bullying that I see or hear about and do what I can to help keep school safe for everyone.
- I will keep my personal information safe and not share my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I'll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without asking my parent if it is okay.
- I will try to talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I have a problem or feel stressed.
- I promise that I'll do my best to follow our household rules for video games and Internet use.
Teenagers (13 years old and older)
- I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day. I will drink sodas only at special times.
- I will do my best to take care of my body through fun physical activities and eating the right types and amounts of foods.
- When I have some down time for media, I will try to choose educational, high-quality non-violent TV shows and video games that I enjoy. I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities. I promise to respect our household rules for video games and internet use.
- I will do what I can to help out my community. I will give some of my time to help others, working with community groups or others that help people in need. These activities will make me feel better about myself and my community.
- When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find helpful ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal, or talking about my problem with a parent or friend.
- When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk about my choices with an adult whom I can trust.
- When I notice my friends are struggling, being bullied or making risky choices, I will look for a trusted adult so that we can attempt to find a way to help.
- I will be careful about whom I choose to date. I will treat the other person with respect and not force them to do something they do not want to do. I will not use violence. I will expect to be treated the same way in return.
- I will resist peer pressure to try tobacco-cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol. I will also avoid the use of e-cigarettes.
- I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.
Information Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2018, update 12/2019)
For information on the Network Child Care Centers, go to: Network Child Care Centers
Employee Assistance Program
NY Project Hope assists New Yorkers with the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide the Emotional Support Helpline that is staffed by trained counselors who are available every day from 8 AM to 10 PM. In addition, their website offers useful online information on coping with the challenges of COVID-19. nyprojecthope.org
NY Project HOPE
Coping with COVID
Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
Confidential, Anonymous and Free
For more information about dealing with the stress and emotional issues related to COVID-19 and the holiday season, as well as other issues, you can contact your agency’s EAP coordinator found at this coordinator listing or call 1-800-822-0244.
Welcome to the Family Packet
Work-Life Services offers a Welcome to the Family Packet. Raising a child is an exciting and challenging experience. Today’s families often face unique circumstances trying to balance their work and family responsibilities. As a New York State Executive Branch employee, you are entitled to several negotiated benefits designed to assist you with balancing work and life. The Welcome to the Family Packet will outline these benefit programs as well as provide informative resources to support you through the rewarding experience of raising a child. We invite you to request a Welcome to the Family Packet for yourself or a family member who has recently welcomed a child into their family. Email your request along with your name and home mailing address to: [email protected].
For more information on the Network Child Care Centers, go to: Network Child Care Centers.
Elder Care Resources
Are you caring for an elderly family member or close friend?
Today’s families face unique circumstances trying to balance the responsibilities of caring for an elderly loved one while managing other demands. Work-Life Services now offers Caring for Your Elderly Loved One, an educational resource packet for employees who are caring for an elderly person. The packet includes a comprehensive guide to resources for older New Yorkers as well as information about memory loss, legal and financial planning for people with Alzheimer’s disease, older drivers, Medicare, long-distance caregiving, advanced care planning, end of life decisions, and much more.
To request a Caring for Your Elderly Loved One educational resource packet, click on the email link under Contact Us on the left side of the Work-Life Services homepage or email [email protected] to request the educational resource packet. You will need to provide your name and home mailing address.