SYRACUSE AREA RETIREMENT PRESENTATION & DINNER – February 25, 2026
Join us for the New York State Retirement System Presentation and Dinner on Wednesday, February 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Destiny USA, 311 Hiawatha Blvd. W, Syracuse, NY 13204.
Reservation deadline: February 16, 2026
Confirmation sent by: February 20, 2026
A waitlist will be created once capacity is reached.
All CSEA Local 334 members from any of our 20 counties may attend. You do not need to be nearing retirement—this presentation is valuable for anyone planning ahead.
See the attached flyer for full details and RSVP information.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND – CO-PAY REIMBURSEMENT
You may submit an EBF reimbursement form once your combined co-pays for doctor visits, labs/X-rays, unreimbursed medical expenses, and prescriptions total $400.
Eligible co-pays must be incurred on or after December 31 each year.
2025 reimbursement applications are accepted until March 31, 2026.
Refer to the attached guidelines for acceptable proof (EOBs for medical co-pays, pharmacy printouts for prescriptions).
Questions? Call 1‑800‑323‑2732 or visit www.cseaebf.com.
PAGE RATE NEGOTIATIONS
The Coalition of Unions met with UCS in December for the second session on Transcript Page Rate negotiations.
A modified proposal was submitted incorporating industry-standard practices and concepts discussed in prior sessions. Additional items related to transcript production and increased compensation rates will be addressed in future meetings.
To protect the integrity of negotiations, specific proposal details cannot be shared. The next session is scheduled for January 27, 2026, at 25 Beaver St., Manhattan.
FIX TIER 6
CSEA’s top legislative priority this year is reforming Tiers 5 and 6, which require members to work longer and contribute more for reduced benefits—making public service less competitive.
CSEA is advocating for meaningful pension reform, including reducing the contribution rate to 3%.
Visit our website for the dedicated Fix Tier 6 page and join the effort to secure fair retirement benefits for our Tier 5 and 6 members – join the fight!
TAX SEASON REMINDER
When filing your 2025 federal taxes, remember that certain overtime earnings may qualify for a federal income tax deduction.
From 2025–2028, eligible workers may deduct up to $12,500 per person in qualified overtime compensation.
Only the overtime premium—the amount above your regular hourly rate—is deductible.
Example: If your regular rate is $20/hr and overtime is $30/hr, only the extra $10/hr counts.
Consult a tax professional for guidance. A downloadable flyer is available.
MEMBER BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation between May 26 and Sept. 15? Now is the time to save with Member Deals! CSEA members who purchase FOUR or more theme park days get TWO days FREE! Explore the savings before Feb. 15.
BE INFORMED – GET INVOLVED
Please share this information with coworkers and post it on Union boards where available. Staying informed is essential—visit our website and download the CSEA app to keep important updates at your fingertips.
To ensure you receive all Union communications, please update your mailing address, email, and phone number with CSEA Member Solutions at 1‑800‑342‑4146 or online at:
https://cseany.org/contact-us