Military Leave for Research Foundation Employees

This is a facts sheet for those called to Active Duty Military Service.

Benefits Questions and Answers

Will my Research Foundation health insurance continue?
For periods of approved military leave, your Health, Dental and Vision Care coverage in effect at the time of the leave may be continued for up to 18 months.
Will my health insurance continue for my dependents?
For periods of approved military leave, if you had family coverage in effect at the time of the leave, your dependents will continue to have health coverage for up to 18 months.
Will my life insurance be in effect while on military leave?
Your life insurance coverage in effect at the time of leave may be continued for up to one year. You will have to pay the full premium.
How much will my benefits cost me?
BenefitTime PeriodCost (Rate)
Health, Dental, Vision Care Coverage1st 12 weeks of military leavePay the same share of the premium as an active employee
Health, Dental, Vision Care Coverage13th to 52nd week of military leaveFull premium rate listed for Leave of Absence
Health, Dental, Vision Care Coverage53rd week and the next 6 months military leaveThe COBRA Premium rate (100% + 2% administrative)
Basic Life (AD&D), Optional Life (AD&D)Continued for up to 1 year, provided premium is paidFull premium amount

Benefits Rate Schedule

Active Bi-weekly Deduction for Health Insurance

Healthcare ProviderIndividual RateFamily Rate
Empire Deluxe PPO$16.76$82.39
Vytra Healthcare$13.17$66.87
Blue Choice$14.88$74.39
Aetna/US Healthcare HMO$15.26$71.82
HIP HMO$12.44$57.54
Grad Student Employees
(Health, Dental, Vision)
$5.93Individual + 1 = $23.29
Individual + 2 = $33.51

Leave of Absence Bi-weekly Deductions

Healthcare ProviderIndividual RateFamily Rate
Empire Deluxe PPO$167.57$430.12
Vytra Healthcare$131.69$346.50
Blue Choice$148.79$386.84
Aetna/US Healthcare HMO$152.60$378.84
HIP HMO$124.40$304.79
Dental$11.57$27.35
Vision$1.88$4.45
Basic Life$0.89N/A
Optional LifeContact RF BenefitsN/A
Grad Student Employees
(Health, Dental, Vision)
$128.42Individual + 1 = $278.92
Individual + 2 = $367.42

COBRA Monthly Premiums

Healthcare ProviderIndividual RateFamily Rate
Empire Deluxe PPO$370.33$950.57
Vytra Healthcare$291.04$765.77
Blue Choice$328.83$854.91
Aetna/US Healthcare HMO$337.24$837.25
HIP HMO$274.92$673.59
Dental$25.57$60.44
Vision$4.15$9.84
Grad Student Employees
(Health, Dental, Vision)
$130.99Individual + 1 = $284.50
Individual + 2 = $374.77
If I have further questions regrading my benefits, who should I contact?
Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Benefits staff.
  • Employees: Cori Ribaudo at (631) 632-6163
  • Graduate Students: Lisa Coleman at (631) 632-6144

Military Leave Questions and Answers

Who should I contact when I get notified of military duty?
You should notify your Department Head/Supervisor immediately.
What documentation do I need to provide and to whom?
A copy of the military orders must be submitted to your Department Head/Supervisor and attached to the first time sheet reflecting military absence.
How should my supervisor complete my time sheet?
Supervisors should indicate absences on time sheets noting "Military Leave".
How much time does the Research Foundation provide for military leave in a calendar year?
New York Military Law provides 30 calendar days or 22 workdays (whichever is greater) of paid leave for employees activated for military service, during any one calendar year or any continuous period of ordered military service.
Can I charge my leave accruals after I have exhausted military leave in order to continue being paid?
Yes, when you have exhausted military leave you may use accrued vacation, holiday, or personal leave credit, or be put on leave without pay for the period of military duty. Please note: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not allow salary reductions of less than a full workweek for exempt employees who are called to military duty. An exempt employee who has no appropriate leave accruals must be advanced appropriate leave so the absence of less than one week is paid in full.
Do I earn leave accruals while on military leave?
Accruals for vacation and sick leave are discontinued for the duration of unpaid leave. However, length of service during military leave will be credited for the purpose of determining accrual rates.
Once I have completed military service, can I return to my former position?
Yes, under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) of 1994, an employee is entitled to re-employment by the Research Foundation upon separation from military service, provided that employee:
  • Was honorably discharged or terminated from service.
  • Was employed in a position for which there was an expectation of continued employment.
  • Has not been absent for duty in the uniformed services for longer than a cumulative period of five years.
  • Reported to work or notified his or her supervisor of an intention to return to work at the proper time, as indicated in the following table:
Period of ServiceAction Employee Must TakeWhen Action Must be Taken
1 to 30 daysReport to workOn the next regular work day
31 to 180 daysNotify his or her supervisor of the employee's intent to return to workWithin 14 days
181+ daysNotify his or her supervisor of the employee's intent to return to workWithin 90 days
If I have questions regarding military leave, who should I contact?
You may also wish to access on-line information. The policy can be obtained from the RF SUNY website.