Offboarding

This checklist is designed to assist State employees in the resignation process.

Letter of Resignation

Employees must submit a formal resignation to the campus President with cc’d hr@farmingdale.edu and their direct supervisor, via email, clearly indicating the last working day in accordance with relevant collective bargaining agreements, if applicable.
Notice period
- 14 day minimum
  - APSU-PBA, CSEA, NYSCOBA, PEF
- 30 days minimum
  - UUP
- Maximum advance notice
  - MC
If you are transferring to another New York State agency, you must include that in your letter.

Timesheets / Last Paycheck

Employees must submit their final time entry or timesheet(s) to their immediate supervisor via the Time and Attendance System before their last day on campus. Final payments cannot be processed unless HR receives the final timesheet. Submit all outstanding time sheets to your immediate supervisor for final review, signature, and submission to HR.
If you are transferring to another New York State agency, all of your time will transfer to the new agency.
A maximum of 30 days of vacation will be paid out to you. This will occur once you have been off the payroll for two (2) pay period.
Unused accrued holiday leave, sick leave and compensatory time cannot be paid out.
When you are no longer receiving a biweekly paycheck, the Office of the State Comptroller will deactivate your direct deposit. Any payments issued thereafter, including payouts of accrued time, will be mailed to the home address we have on record. Please ensure that your address information is current.

Update Your Address

Ensure that the College has an up-to-date address of record. W-2 tax information is sent to the last address of record.
Complete the Microsoft Form-Address change in order to update your address.

Health Insurance

Your health coverage will remain in effect for 28 days from your resignation date. COBRA information will automatically be sent to you.
Dental and Vision plans you may have received as an employee are not part of your health insurance and do not continue automatically.
- UUP Benefit Trust Fund – 1-800-342-4206
  - UUP dental and vision benefits terminate the last day of the month following the month in which you were last paid.
- CSEA Employee Benefit Fund – 1-800-323-2732
  - CSEA dental and vision benefits will terminate 28 days after your last day on payroll.
State of New York (M/C, PBANYS, PEF, NYSCOPBA): If you received these plans through the State, your employee dental and vision coverage will end 28 days after the last day of the last payroll period in which you worked. To continue under COBRA, contact the Employee Benefits Division at: 518-457-5754 or 1-800-833-4344.

Unemployment

NYS Department of Labor
Record of Employment Form

Campus Checkout

Campus Checkout Procedure
It is the employee’s responsibility to return all items belonging to the College, as well as pay any outstanding bills/fines.
All IT access including email will end immediately following your last day.

Planning for Retirement

Retirement planning involves more than selecting a retirement date. As you prepare for this transition, it is important to determine your last day of work, submit your retirement letter, review your pension and benefit options, understand the costs associated with retirement, and confirm any final payments or leave accrual payouts. Completing these steps ahead of time can help make your retirement process as seamless as possible.

Eligibility for retirement and pension benefits varies by retirement system and tier. For example, employees in NYSLRS may generally retire as early as age 55, with full pension benefits available at different ages depending on their tier. However, eligibility for a pension does not automatically qualify an employee for New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) retiree health insurance. To continue NYSHIP coverage in retirement, employees must meet NYSHIP eligibility requirements, including the applicable service requirements and enrollment in NYSHIP at the time of retirement. Employees who meet NYSHIP eligibility requirements may also be eligible for "constructive retirement," which allows continuation of retiree health insurance coverage while delaying receipt of a pension or optional retirement program distributions.

All retirement benefit applications and processing is done directly with your retirement system. Your application for retirement benefits with your retirement system does not constitute a notice of retirement to the college.

Letter of Retirement

Employees are required to submit a formal retirement letter to the president of the college, immediate supervisor with copies to hr@farmingdale.edu, via email. The letter must clearly indicate the employee’s last working day and, when applicable, be consistent with retirement system deadlines and effective dates. Your notice is considered a final commitment to retire and cannot be rescinded.

Letter Component	Instructions
To	Address the letter to the President.
CC	Supervisor and Human Resources.
From	Enter your full legal name.
Date	Enter the date the letter is being prepared.
Effective Retirement Date	Beginning business on your retirement date.
Last Day on Payroll	Enter your final day on payroll.
Signature	Handwritten signatures only. Electronic or typed signatures are not accepted.

Quick Reference Resources

NYSLRS-New York State & Local Retirement System

Dental and Vision Benefits
Estimate your Retirement Income
Preparing and Applying for Retirement
Retiree's Health Care Cost
Retirement Costs
Sick Leave Credit Estimator

FAQ

Do I need to meet with FSC benefits manager to initiate the retirement process?

No. Meeting with the FSC Benefits Manager is optional. The Benefits Office can provide information about retiree health insurance, sick leave credit, and the retirement process, while retirement applications, benefit elections, and pension estimates are handled directly by your retirement system and/or retirement plan provider.

The FSC Benefits Office is available to provide information about retiree health insurance, sick leave credit, and the retirement process, but cannot provide financial, legal, or retirement planning advice. Employees are encouraged to contact their retirement system or consult with a financial advisor to discuss retirement options and determine the best retirement date based on their individual circumstances.

During the retirement planning process, the Benefits Office may provide forms and information that could be relevant to your retirement, such as the NYSHIP Sick Leave Credit Option Election (PS-405) form and the Application for Voluntary Retirement (RS-6355) for NYSLRS members. However, employees are responsible for submitting retirement applications and elections directly to their retirement system and/or plan provider.

Please note that filing for retirement with your retirement system does not constitute notice of retirement to the College. You must also provide formal notice of your retirement to your department and Benefit Services.

What happens to health insurance coverage when an employee retires?

NYSHIP Retention: Retirees can retain health coverage through the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP).
Sick Leave Credit: Unused sick leave can be converted using a specific formula to help pay monthly retiree health insurance premiums.
Medicare: Upon reaching Medicare eligibility age, Medicare becomes the primary provider, and NYSHIP acts as a secondary coordinator.

Can a retiree return to work for New York State or SUNY?

Yes. Retirees may return to work for New York State or SUNY, subject to the rules of their retirement system. Employees should contact their retirement system to understand any earnings or employment limitations.

Earnings Cap: Retirees under age 65 face a post-retirement state public payroll cap of $35,000 per year.
Double-Dipping Restriction: You cannot collect active pension checks or ORP distributions while simultaneously building new public retirement service credit or receiving employer retirement match contributions from NYS.

Note: Retirees who are age 65 or older, Medicare-eligible, and enrolled in NYSHIP retiree coverage should generally be limited to teaching one adjunct course (1-5 credits) to maintain their retiree health insurance status. Employees considering a return to work should contact the FSC Benefits Office before accepting employment.

What happens if I am Medicare-eligible and return as an adjunct?

If a retiree returns to a benefits eligible position, the summer courses do not count towards the health insurance. Medicare would be primary over the summer even if the retiree taught and were benefits eligible in the Fall and Spring. Our office would have to update a retiree’s insurance information each Summer and Fall and would need the retiree to confirm with us each semester, if they are benefits eligible or not, so we can update the insurance system of their return or termination, this change is not automatic. If a benefits eligible retiree’s health insurance record is not updated correctly to show their new status in the insurance system, their claims between Medicare and NYSHIP may not be paid correctly and they may not receive their Medicare Part B reimbursement.

Do I need Medicare Parts A and B when I turn 65 as a NYS retiree?

Part A (Hospital Insurance): Yes. If you are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you should enroll when you become eligible at age 65. Part A helps cover inpatient hospital care and related services.

Part B (Medical Insurance): Not necessarily. If you are actively employed and covered under NYSHIP as an employee, you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B when you turn 65. However, as a NYSHIP retiree, Medicare Part B is required. To ensure your Medicare coverage is effective when your retiree benefits begin, you should enroll in Medicare Part B approximately 2 to 3 months before your retirement date. Once retired, Medicare becomes primary and NYSHIP provides secondary coverage. Eligible retirees are reimbursed for the standard Medicare Part B premium.

Employees with questions about Medicare enrollment should contact the Social Security Administration directly, as enrollment in Medicare is not handled through Farmingdale State College.

Who do I contact after I retire if I have questions about my NYSHIP coverage?

The Employee Benefits Division’s Retiree Unit and their contact number is (800) 833-4344.

How are retirement distributions taxed in New York State?

State Tax Exemption: Distributions from NYS public pensions and the SUNY ORP are 100% exempt from New York State Income Tax. Federal income taxes still apply.

Can my spouse or dependents continue coverage after my retirement or death?

Yes, through NYSHIP Survivor Benefits and dependents can contact the Employee Benefits Division’s at (800) 833-4344 for information on continuing coverage.

Will my NYSHIP insurance card change after retirement?

No, your NYSHIP insurance card number with remain the same. However, you will receive a prescription card from SilverScript for prescription drug plan coverage.

Still could use some help? Email us and we will get back to you shortly.

Human Resources

Whitman Hall, Room 260
934-420-2107
hr@farmingdale.edu

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:45pm
Summer Hours 8:30am-4:30pm

For Benefits questions/information, email benefits@farmingdale.edu.

For Payroll questions, email payroll@farmingdale.edu.

For Student Employment questions, email studentemployment@farmingdale.edu