Page 18 - Work Force October 2025

State Employee Reminder
Check and Use Flex Spending Account (FSA) Funds
Summary of September Board of Directors Meeting
Editor’s Note:
The Work Force publishes a summary of actions taken
by CSEA’s Board of Directors. The summary
is prepared by
CSEA Statewide
Secretary Stacey
Baldwin Deyo for union members.
ALBANY – CSEA’s statewide Board of Directors met on July 24, 2025. In official business, the board:
• Approved the 2025-2026 CSEA Budget.
• Approved changes to
the Region, Local, Unit, Private Sector, and Retiree Constitution: Duties of Officers Articles regarding training and recertification.
• Approved enhancements to the MetLife Premier Term Life program.
• Approved the creation of an additional Labor Relations Specialist position (FSA Grade 15/18/20/23) for Western Region 6.
• Approved the new standard meal reimbursement rates for CSEA members, officers and M/C staff effective Oct. 1, 2025.
• Approved the appointments to the Region Political Action Committees.
Questions concerning the summary should be directed to Statewide Secretary Stacey Baldwin Deyo, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. (800) 342-4146 or (518) 257-1253.
Baldwin Deyo
The Flex Spending Account (FSA) is a negotiated state employee benefit that helps save money by allowing individuals to pay certain out-of-pocket expenses, using pre-tax dollars.
The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA), the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) and the Adoption Advantage Account
are benefit programs
available under New
York State’s FSA.
As we get closer
to the end of the
calendar year, it is a
good time to evaluate
the remaining funds
in your FSA and take steps to make sure all
the remaining funds are spent before the plan year ends.
Because of the tax advantages of the FSA, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has strict guidelines for its use. One of these guidelines is commonly known as the “use it or lose it” rule.
State Employee HCSA Carryover Allowances
Unused contributions will carry over to the next plan year for you
to use during the plan year runout period (January 1 - March 31, 2026). Unsubmitted claims from 2025 can be submitted during the runout. After the runout, any remaining funds, up to the IRS limit from the previous year (2025 into 2026 is $660),
will then carryover into the 2026 plan year’s account balance. It is
important to plan accordingly to avoid forfeiting any of
your FSA funds.
State Employee DCAA and Adoption
Grace Period
The grace period allows an additional
2.5 months to incur dependent care or
adoption-related expenses. You can use any funds
remaining in your account after the plan year ends to pay for expenses incurred between January 1 and March 15, 2026. Claims must be submitted by the March 31 deadline.
To check your 2025 balance, visit
https://uba.tasconline.com/login
or call the FSA Administrator, Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) at 800-358-7202.
Fall 2025
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Retiring soon?
Join the Retirees!
• Money-saving member benefits
• Representation to protect your pension and retirement benefits
• Access to insurance plans at CSEA’s low group rates
• Discounted dental and vision care programs
• Personal legal services referral network
• CSEA Retiree News
Spouses, domestic partners and retired CSEA staff are eligible to join a CSEA Retiree Local, too!
To learn more and join, visit
cseany.org/retirees or call 800-342-4146
18 The Work Force
October 2025