Policy/Memo 21r1

Number: Policy Memo 21r1
Date Issued: January 23, 2017
Subject: Dual Annuitant Sick Leave Credit

PURPOSE:

Determine the procedure when an enrollee applies for dual annuitant sick leave credit and then dies after his or her retirement date, but before the effective date of retiree coverage.

BACKGROUND

Prior to retirement, State NYSHIP enrollees may elect the dual annuitant sick leave credit option. This election will allow dependent survivors to continue to use an enrollee’s monthly sick leave credit toward their NYSHIP premium after the death of the enrollee. An enrollee choosing the dual annuitant sick leave credit option will be able to use 70 percent of his or her sick leave credit for as long as he or she lives. This 70 percent monthly credit will continue to be applied to the NYSHIP premium for an enrollee’s eligible dependents who outlive the enrollee. If an enrollee’s dependents predecease the enrollee, the enrollee will retain the 70 percent sick leave credit. After the enrollee’s date of retirement, there is a 28-day run-out after the end of the payroll period for which the enrollee was last paid. During this period, an enrollee is considered to be an active employee for health insurance purposes. An enrollee’s sick leave credit does not apply until the end of this run-out period.

POLICY

If an enrollee applies for dual annuitant sick leave credit and then dies after the actual retirement date, but before the effective date of retiree coverage, that enrollee's survivor will be able to use the designated amount of sick leave credit toward the cost of survivor coverage.