

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:
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
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
Children (Ages 5 to 12 years old)
Teenagers (13 years old and older)
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
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.
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.
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.