November 3, 2026 — PEF members who have not yet enrolled or wish to re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) have from now until December 8 to do so with the New York State plan administrator Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC). FSA enrollment lasts for only one year, and employees must re-enroll during the open enrollment period for any of the FSA programs.
FSA allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for certain expenses. Several FSA programs are available to POpen Enrollment period for Flexible Spending Accounts now open EF members.
The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) allows members to set aside any amount from $100 up to the contribution maximum of $3,400 for 2027 to pay for health care expenses that are not typically reimbursed by health insurance or another benefit plan. This account is specifically for medically necessary expenses incurred during doctor or dental visits, vision, hearing, prescription drug and specific over-the-counter drugs. This benefit also applies to spouses and eligible dependents.
Unused HCSA contributions can be carried forward into the next plan year. For 2026, the maximum carryover amount is $680. Any funds carried over must be used for eligible health care expenses by March 31, 2027; otherwise, the remaining funds will be forfeited.
The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) program allows members to set aside money up to a maximum of $7,500 or $3,750 based on tax filing status to pay for eligible childcare for children under the age of 13, elder care, or disabled dependent care. This allows members some flexibility when dealing with the rising costs of daycare, nursery school, summer camps, adult daycare or dependent care facilities.
Employees who are eligible for DCAA may enroll without having to set aside any of their own money and will still receive an employer contribution starting at $600 and up to $1,100 depending on salary.
The DCAA gives members an additional 2.5 months to incur dependent care or adoption-related expenses and use the funds. Funds remaining in the account after the plan year ends must be used between January 1 and March 15 of the following year.
For more information on all of the FSA programs, read this memo from PEF’s Contract Administration Department. To enroll in any of the programs, visit the online platform for the FSA plan administrator, TASC, and follow the instructions.