On April 2, we observe National Employee Benefits Day, recognizing trustees, administrators, benefits practitioners, and professional advisors for their dedication to providing quality benefits and the important role they play in their colleagues’ well-being.
We extend our appreciation to our members in the Office of Labor Relations (OLR), the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), and various pension systems who work tirelessly to ensure city employees receive comprehensive benefits packages.
The Office of Labor Relations administers a collection of benefits designed to support the well-being of city managers beyond their regular compensation, including:
- Management Benefits Fund (MBF) – Established in 1967, MBF provides supplemental benefits to non-unionized personnel, including managerial, confidential, and original jurisdiction employees and retirees. Visit the MBF website
- Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) – Offers eligible managers a way to save for retirement through convenient payroll deductions with both 457 and 401(k) Plans. Visit the DCP website
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Includes the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) Program and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DeCAP), allowing managers to deposit a portion of their pre-tax income into accounts for certain health and dependent care expenses. Visit the FSA website
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Provides free, confidential short-term counseling, education, information, and individualized referrals for personal and social problems. Services are available to employees and their family members. Visit the EAP website
- Health Benefits Program – Provides medical coverage to all eligible City employees and retirees. Visit the Health Benefits website
The Department of Citywide Administrative Services offers a number of professional development resources and support programs:
- Citywide Learning & Development and NYCityLearn – Serves as the central source of training within NYC government, providing classes through a comprehensive learning management system that enhances and streamlines professional development. Visit the Training website
- Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program (MGSP) – Provides full-time City employees the opportunity to compete for scholarships at participating colleges and universities to pursue graduate studies while maintaining their employment. Visit the MGSP website
- Salary Continuation Program – Helps seriously ill employees remain on payroll after exhausting their leave balances through a pool of voluntarily donated leave hours. Visit the Salary Continuation website
Additionally, New York City employees have access to comprehensive pension plans to help them secure a stable retirement after their years of service. The City offers five distinct pension systems based on employment category:
- NYC Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) for most civilian employees not covered by another system
- Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) for non-pedagogical employees of the Department of Education and other eligible staff
- Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) for pedagogical employees of the Department of Education, CUNY, and certain charter schools
- Police Pension Fund for uniformed members of the NYPD
- Fire Pension Fund for uniformed members of the FDNY
For questions about these benefits or to learn about additional resources available to City employees, contact your agency’s HR department who can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.
We thank all who work to improve employee benefits across our city. Your dedication supports the well-being of thousands of city employees and their families.
