November 1, 2023 — The 2024 Open enrollment for the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) has begun and will run through December 11, 2023.
PEF allows PEF members to exchange accrued annual leave or personal leave in return for a biweekly credit that reduces an employee’s share of the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) premium.
For 2024, employees at salary grade 17 and below can use additional days to receive a credit up to $1,600. Employees in grades 18-24 are allowed a credit up to $1,500. For the Teacher’s PEP, the same salary grade restrictions apply. Teachers are also able to use floating holidays and compensatory days (if applicable) for PEP as well.
Additionally, both the PEP benefit and the Teacher’s PEP benefit no longer expire at the end of the PS&T 2023-2026 contract. Your agency’s attendance and leave office must first review your eligibility, prior to forwarding to the agency Health Benefit Administrator (HBA) for entry into NYBEAS.
Agencies must coordinate with the personnel office and the Health Benefit Administrator (HBA) to distribute and retain all enrollment forms. Agencies also are responsible for certifying the accrual adjustments and initiating the credit on the New York Benefits Eligibility and Accounting System (NYBEAS).
The 2024 PEP credit begins with the first health insurance premium deduction in 2024. Credits for part-time employees will be prorated based upon payroll percentage. PEP credits will never exceed the employee’s biweekly NYSHIP premium.