The Daily Bulletin

Open enrollment for the 2025 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) began Friday, November 1, and ends Monday, December 9, at 11:59 p.m. The program helps eligible state employees save money on necessary health- or dependent-care expenses because the money they set aside in their accounts is not subject to federal, state, or Social Security taxes.

The Flex Spending Account offers three benefits:

The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) lets you set aside any amount from $100 up to $3,300 (up from $3,200 in 2024) for the 2025 plan year to pay for health-care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan; however, only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSA.

The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax dollars for eligible custodial child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work.

The Adoption Advantage Account allows employees to set aside up to $16,810 to pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child with pre-tax dollars. This benefit is available to M/C employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, and PBANYS.

Complete information on the Flex Spending Account can be found on the Governor's Office of Employee Relations website. If you wish to take advantage of this benefit, submit your application for enrollment online or by phone at (800) 358-7202. You will need your NYS EMPLID number, which is located on your pay stub, to complete your application. Please be sure to enroll by December 9. If you are enrolled for the 2024 plan year, you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2025.

The deadline for 2025 enrollment of 11:59 p.m. (EST) Monday, December 9, 2024, will be strictly enforced.