Benefits & services available to NYSUT members

YSUT Member Benefits provides an update in this publication each September about its role within the NYSUT organization, its endorsement process and the many endorsed benefits available to NYSUT members.

NYSUT created a separately funded trust in 1983 (Member Benefits Trust) to leverage the unified buying power of its members and offer competitive benefit programs to members. Subsequently, the Member Benefits Corporation and Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Trust were created in 2008 and 2015, respectively, to add to the breadth of offerings.

Each of these entities is overseen by a board of appointed trustees/directors who help to ensure these endorsed benefit plans continue to meet the needs of NYSUT members. The Member Benefits department is under the leadership of NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham, chairperson of the NYSUT Member Benefits Trust, and is directed by Ginger LaChapelle.

How can being a NYSUT member help to enhance my life?

Your status as a NYSUT in-service or retiree member allows you to participate in dozens of endorsed programs and services offered by Member Benefits. Our goal is to offer quality insurance, legal and financial programs to members along with true discount opportunities to help you save every dollar possible. Many of these programs include value-added benefits not available to the public.

The group buying power of more than 600,000 members generates meaningful savings on its own for the NYSUT membership. In addition, members can save up to 20 percent more (along with the elimination of service fees) by taking advantage of either payroll or pension deduction if available. Using these payment options can assist with budgeting since premiums are divided into smaller payments deducted from your paycheck or monthly pension benefit.

Member Benefits also offers members a variety of educational opportunities, including financial assistance, legal education and home-buying workshops. You can learn more about these by contacting your regional Member Benefits Coordinator (this information can be found on the Member Benefits website in the “Groups, Locals and Funds” section).

Participation in our endorsed programs offers the added protection of having a trusted advocate on your side. Our staff take great pride in stepping in to support members with any questions or concerns that may arise.

How can NYSUT members save money with Member Benefits?

Member Benefits believes in the importance of supporting local businesses while helping members save on everyday purchases. There is no cost for NYSUT members to participate in our MB Discounts & Deals program, which offers approximately 21,000 local deals throughout New York state at a variety of merchants and businesses.

Members can save up to 50 percent at 850,000 locations across the country, including restaurant dine-in or take-out, groceries and food delivery, clothing and shoes, oil changes and vehicle maintenance, theme parks and movie tickets, hotels and flights, car rentals and much more.

Earlier this year, we made the decision to migrate our car rental program providers into the MB Discounts & Deals program. This has allowed NYSUT members to better coordinate their travel plans by bundling hotels, flights and vehicle rentals for even greater savings.

Member Benefits endorses several other programs that can offer savings on new and used vehicles, appliances and furniture, school and office supplies, heating oil and propane, medical alert services and hearing aids.

How is Member Benefits funded? Are members’ dues dollars being used?

Member Benefits receives funds to cover expenses from negotiated endorsement arrangements with many of our endorsed program providers (including, in some cases, a percentage of premium paid). Member dues dollars are never used in conjunction with Member Benefits.

Member Benefits revenue is used, where appropriate, to enhance benefit programs, maintain competitive rates, and allow for the development of new offerings for the NYSUT membership. These funds are also used to defray the costs of operating Member Benefits, including staff compensation; rent; office expenses; and the cost of retaining consultants, auditors, and attorneys to advise the trustees, directors and staff.

The student loan moratorium deadline is fast approaching. Can Member Benefits offer any assistance?

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education froze all federal student loan payments to assist Americans during uncertain financial times. Although the student loan moratorium is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2022, NYSUT members have options available through Member Benefits.

Our Cambridge Credit Counseling program can assist members with better understanding debt consolidation and student loan repayment options. Members can receive a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a Cambridge certified counselor and schedule a time to speak directly. Cambridge is also the provider of NYSUT’s Student Loan Debt webinars.

How can members learn more about all that is available through Member Benefits?

NYSUT members can learn more about our benefit and savings opportunities by exploring memberbenefits.nysut.org or calling 800-626-8101. Members are encouraged to join our Member Alert Program (MAP) email service, which allows them to learn about new endorsed programs, changes to existing programs, and special prize drawings. The MAP sign-up option can be found on our homepage.

Although some NYSUT Member Benefits-endorsed programs may provide legal or financial advice, Member Benefits itself does not offer investment, legal or tax advice. Participants should consult their own investment, legal, financial and tax advisors to assist them with an evaluation of these voluntary benefit programs.