Union-endorsed benefits designed with members in mind

YSUT Member Benefits provides an annual update each fall about the department’s operation, our endorsement process and an overview of the many endorsed benefits available to NYSUT members.

Member Benefits comprises three entities: the Member Benefits Trust (initially formed in 1983), the Member Benefits Corporation (2008) and the Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Trust (2015). These were created to offer quality benefits and (in later years) increase the availability of programs to members.

Each entity is overseen by a board of appointed trustees or directors tasked with ensuring the health and vitality of all endorsed benefits. Member Benefits is led by NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham, chairperson of the Member Benefits Trust, and Peggy Jacobsen, director.

Member Benefits provides NYSUT members with access to carefully cultivated benefits that can help with protecting their loved ones, planning for the future, and saving on every day and larger purchases. Many of these programs include value-added benefits at no additional cost and can be paid by payroll or pension deduction for greater savings and convenience. Participation in these benefits also includes a trusted advocate that empowers members in the event that any issues, concerns or questions should arise.

Yes! Member Benefits has negotiated with our endorsed program providers to offer several benefits to members free of charge, including the premium subscription of the popular Calm app for sleep, meditation and relaxation content; Peer Support Line for empathetic support and a wide variety of resources; Financial Learning Center for helpful educational content, student loan and credit counseling, and more.

Member Benefits has dozens of unique offerings that are popular with members such as our MB Discounts & Deals program. This exclusive benefit allows members to save up to 50 percent at more than one million locations with the nation’s largest private discount network, including over 18,000 New York state deals.

Members can browse an incredibly wide variety of savings opportunities at mbdeals.enjoymydeals.com for hotels and flights, vehicle rentals, theme parks and attractions, sporting events and concerts, movie tickets, ski tickets, restaurant dine-in or take-out, clothing and shoes, oil changes and vehicle maintenance, and much more. You can even request to have your favorite merchant join the network to save money while supporting local businesses. Note: You will need your seven-digit NYSUT ID number to create an MB Discounts & Deals account; this can be found by visiting nysut.org/memberid.

Member Benefits also endorses quality insurance programs like term life/level term life, disability, auto/home/renter’s, dental, vision, and pet reimbursement plans; unbiased legal and financial guidance; and a number of travel, shopping and personal programs. No matter what you’re searching for, chances are good that you’ll find Member Benefits offers it.

No, the funds received from our endorsement arrangements with program providers are used to cover expenses of the department (including a percentage of premium paid in some instances). NYSUT member dues dollars are never used in conjunction with Member Benefits. Additionally, revenue received from program providers is used to enhance benefit offerings, maintain competitive rates, facilitate the development of new offerings for members, and help defray the costs of operating the department.

Our goal is to provide high quality programs to NYSUT members and their families. To that effect, proposals from program providers are carefully reviewed by our dedicated team before an endorsement is provided. Once a program is granted an endorsement, it is monitored on a regular basis for member satisfaction, utilization, financial health and other factors. Our benefits may not always be the lowest cost products, but we strive to maintain quality programs at competitive prices. Members are encouraged to shop and compare before making any purchasing decision.

Members are encouraged to sign up for our MAP Alert email system for early notification about new benefits, details about existing programs, and the opportunity to win prizes through special drawings. You can join MAP by visiting mb-nysut.org/joinmap. Learn more about all our endorsed programs at memberbenefits.nysut.org or by calling 800-626-8101.