Page 18 - Work Force October 2025

State Employee Reminder
Check and Use Flex Spending
Account (FSA) Funds
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.
Retiring soon? 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
To learn more and join, visit
cseany.org/retirees
or call 800-342-4146
Spouses, domestic partners and
retired CSEA staff are eligible to
join a CSEA Retiree Local, too!
18 The Work Force Summary of September
Board of Directors Meeting
Editor’s Note:
•
Approved enhancements to
The Work Force
the MetLife Premier Term
publishes a
Life program.
summary of
•
Approved the creation of an
actions taken
additional Labor Relations
by CSEA’s Board
Specialist position (FSA
of Directors.
Grade 15/18/20/23) for
The summary
Western Region 6.
is prepared by
•
Approved the new standard
CSEA Statewide
meal reimbursement rates
Baldwin Deyo
Secretary Stacey
for CSEA members, officers
Baldwin Deyo for union members.
and M/C staff effective Oct.
1, 2025.
ALBANY – CSEA’s statewide Board
•
Approved the appointments
of Directors met on July 24, 2025.
to the Region Political
In official business, the board:
Action Committees.
•
Approved the 2025-2026
CSEA Budget.
•
Approved changes to
the Region, Local, Unit,
Private Sector, and Retiree
Constitution: Duties of
Officers Articles regarding
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.
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October 2025