Hi, 

Welcome to Nest +m & the UFT!

This is your UFT NEW MEMBER CHECKLIST (well, not really a checklist, more of a numbered list of things you should do):

1. Enroll in the UFT

2. Enroll in a Health Plan (I will be honest this is still a little confusing, but this takes you to HR Connect). Most UFT members have historically signed up for GHI/Emblem Health Plan, a free plan that no longer exists, which means that now most UFT members are in the new NYCEPPO plan which is hopefully as good or better than the previous GHI/Emblem Health Plan.

   • Pre-Employment & New Hire Info (Hopefully you've already done this)

   • HR Connect - How do I enroll in  Health Benefits as a New Hire

   • Health Plan Rate Chart (Jan 2026)

   • Health Plan Benefits Summary

3. Sign up for the UFT Welfare Fund (Prescriptions, Dental and Optical)

4. Set up your retirement benefits (You should all automatically be enrolled in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), but log in now to start contributing to your Tax Deferred Annuity or Roth Option and double check that all is as it should be. It's okay to start small with contributions and increase them over time, but you should still start!)

5. Check your eligibility for salary increases!

   • UFT Salary Differential Information

   • Step by Step Guide to Applying for a Differential

   • ACTUAL APPLICATION TO APPLY FOR A DIFFERNTIAL OR SALARY STEP

6. Create your UFT Account. Register in the upper right hand corner

7. Enroll in COPE to safeguard your pension (Suggested contributions for Teachers are $5 per paycheck, and $2.50 for Paraprofessionals). Many consider this Pension Insurance. A small (pre-tax) price to pay to help ensure steady pay in retirment.