Take advantage of group buying power!
NYSSO and the Retail Council of New York State leverage the combined strength of our members to negotiate preferential pricing on common services you need to run your business. Use our clout to get pricing you might not be eligible to receive otherwise.
The Retail Council is NYSSO’s preferred provider of money-saving programs and services that include workers’ compensation insurance,* statutory disability insurance, credit card processing and processing equipment, electricity savings, payroll processing and discount shipping programs. NYSSO members are encouraged to consider these member benefits (and the great savings that accompany them!) through the Retail Council. See program details below.
To learn more about any of these programs, contact Ken Rutsky of the Retail Council at (800) 442-3589 or via email at NYSSO@retailcouncilnys.com.
*Retail Council of New York State membership is required.
The Retail Council’s fully-insured Workers’ Compensation Safety Group* rewards members for safe working environments.
Eligible participants can save 50% or more on their annual premium costs.
The Retail Council of New York State meets the workers’ compensation needs of retailers through Safety Group 493, a program designed to reward employers who maintain a safe working environment.
Substantial Savings
Since Safety Group 493 formed in 1976, we have been helping our eligible members lower their workers’ compensation insurance costs by returning a portion of their premium in the form of annual dividend payments. Although dividends cannot be guaranteed, we have averaged a return of 39% over the past 33 years.
In fact, as part of our most recent 32.5% dividend we returned more than $3.2 million to eligible Safety Group members.
Eligible participants can save 50% or more on their annual premium costs via a combination of the following:
- Dividends averaging 39% over the life of the group
- Up-front policy discounts of up to 25%
- New York State Assessment fee of 10.1%, that’s 50% in savings over the industry standard of 20.2%
Our bottom line is significant savings for your business.
More than $97 million in dividends returned to members since 1978!
| Dividend History Table* | |
| 2011 | 32.5% |
| 2010 | 40% |
| 2009 | 37.5% |
| 2008 | 37.5% |
| 2007 | 40% |
| 2006 | 45% |
| 2005 | 45% |
| 2004 | 42.5% |
| 2003 | 45% |
| 2002 | 42.5% |
|
Workers’ Comp tips and articles |
Security and Strength
One of the oldest and most successful safety groups in New York State, the group boasts nearly 1,200 safety-minded retailers and maintains a healthy contingent reserve. While not guaranteed, this entitles group members to anticipate a yearly payment of dividends on a consistent basis.
Exceptional Service
The Council’s in-house team of licensed professionals serves the workers’ compensation insurance needs of retailers of all size. Group members rely on quick and personalized attention in response to all of their questions.
Additionally, you can complement your workers’ compensation insurance policy with the Council’s statutory disability insurance program. Our disability insurance rates are among the lowest available for New York State retailers.
Underwritten by the New York State Insurance Fund. Dividends cannot be guaranteed, but check our dividend history!
*Retail Council of New York State membership required.
Help your bottom line – enroll in the Retail Council’s disability insurance programs.
New York State Statutory Disability Insurance
We can save you even more on your statutory disability insurance (DBL). The Council, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Retail Council Services Corp.,* works with The Hartford, one of the nation’s leading insurance carriers, to offer our members a true association plan.
Call the Council at (800) 442-3589 for DBL rates and a free quote.
In addition to great savings, other perks of enrolling in the Retail Council’s DBL Program with The Hartford include:
- Free tax reporting services. The Hartford will withhold and deposit employees’ portions of FICA and federal income taxes, if applicable, and prepare an Annual Summary of Disability Payments. They will also prepare and file employees’ W-2 forms.
- Manage your DBL program online. Use The Hartford’s secure website to get comprehensive reports on disability activity, claim status, transaction detail and much more.
- Integrate your DBL with The Hartford’s Group Long-Term Disability Plan. Purchase additional protection from one carrier for service efficiency.
* Retail Council Services Corp. is a licensed insurance agent/broker by the New York State Insurance Department.
The Retail Council’s Credit Card Processing Program through Global Payments Direct, Inc. is a major force in the processing market. With an annual transaction volume of more than $300 million, we have negotiated preferential processing terms for program participants.
Our in-house specialists analyze processing statements daily and ensure you are getting the best deal for your credit card processing. By switching to the Retail Council’s Credit Card Processing Program, you’ll receive:
Exceptional Service
Although many claim to provide it, the Council prides itself on delivering superior service. If you’re a participant in our Credit Card Processing Program, you can count on 24/7 support. And to help ensure you are saving as much money as possible, our experts review each participant’s account periodically in search of errors or unknown charges and looks for additional savings opportunities. This is our Watchdog Service – the Council always protects you and your business.
Credit Card Processing Equipment
The Council works directly with a wholesaler to save you money on credit card processing equipment. Available at deeply discounted prices, a full line of terminals and printers may be purchased or rented from the Council – some for as little as $25 per month.
For those not participating in our credit card processing program, the Council can still provide you with the equipment you’re seeking at competitive prices.
Low-cost equipment, high-end service
When you join the Council’s credit card processing program we’ll make sure your terminal or printer is programmed and ready for use the moment it arrives. Our merchant services team is knowledgeable about the products we sell and can answer any questions you have.
An exclusive offer for NYSSO members, the Retail Council of New York State has partnered with Energy Plus to offer you unique benefits that include Tax Savings and Cash Back. We are pleased to recommend this customized electricity program from Energy Plus™, an Energy Supply Company (ESCO).
Choose Energy Plus™ as your electricity supplier, and you’ll receive these exclusive benefits:
- Earn 3% – 8% Cash Back every year on the supply portion of the electricity bill for your business (or 2% for your home)*
- Immediate Sales Tax Waiver – Save up to 9.75% by having the sales tax on the delivery portion of your bill waived every month**
- No Service Changes – Your local utility will continue to service your account, read your meter, send your billing statement, and handle any power outages
- Activation Bonus – Receive $50 for every meter you enroll at your business (or $25 for your home)*
Best of all, you can try Energy Plus risk-free as there are no sign-up fees, cancellation fees or long-term commitments. Act now!
Call the Council at (800) 442-3589 for more information or to sign up for Energy Plus.
Energy Plus is an independent Energy Service Company (ESCO) that has been approved by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC), the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), and your local utility. Your local utility will continue to deliver your electricity, read your meter, handle service emergencies, and send your billing statement.
* Members with active accounts will receive a cash back rebate check after every 12 billing cycles of service. The cash back rebate will be 3 – 8% of the annual electricity supply charges per business account and 2% per residential account. Business accounts with an annual kWh supply of 99,999 or less will receive 3% cash back, business accounts with an annual kWh supply of 100,000-199,999 will receive 5% cash back, and business accounts with an annual kWh supply of 200,000 or more will receive 8% cash back. For active accounts, a $50 activation bonus check for business accounts or a $25 activation bonus check for residential accounts will be mailed at the close of your second billing cycle with Energy Plus. Energy Plus reserves the right to modify or discontinue the program. This offer cannot be combined with other offers. Offer valid for all service areas in New York, excluding LIPA.
** Members signing up for service with Energy Plus will save by qualifying to earn a cash back rebate check every 12 billing cycles of service and qualifying to have the sales tax permanently waived off of the delivery portion of their electric bill. While sales tax varies by service area, sales tax savings can be to 9.75% of the delivery portion of the bill, based off of state, county, and other applicable sales tax.
NYSSO members are guaranteed a 15% discount if you switch your payroll processing to Ovation Payroll from another nationwide payroll provider. You could save hundreds to
thousands per year if you switch to the Retail Council’s payroll processing program. Savings are also available for members moving their in-house payroll processing to Ovation.
| “I really appreciate Ovation Payroll. Their customer service is simply outstanding. I’ve never had to leave a message. There is always a customer service representative available within a very short time to take my call. Because they are using a Citrix system, they can see what I’m doing on my screen in the payroll window, and that makes the support much more accurate, fast and professional. The system is extremely flexible and can handle any quirks I come up with in my payroll.”
Michael Cronin |
When you sign on with Ovation Payroll you will get hassle-free payroll solutions including:
- Phone, fax, email or Web-based payroll input options
- Real-time Internet payroll reporting
- Complete payroll tax preparation and administration
- Direct deposit
- Customized employee home pages that allow access to pay history and W-2s
- Specific Web-based reports for CPAs
- New! Online human resources tools including a policy library, state and federal laws written in easy to understand terms, HR forms, a three-minute HR audit, eAlerts, HR checklists, a Q&A database, a monthly newsletter and much more.
Call the Council at (800) 442-3589 for more information about Ovation Payroll.
The Retail Council Discount Shipping Program gives small and medium-sized business owners shipping discounts usually reserved only for higher volume shippers.
PartnerShip, your Retail Council-endorsed shipping management provider, created this FREE program to help NYSSO members reduce their shipping costs and add profits right to their bottom line. NYSSO members enrolled in the free Discount Shipping Program receive substantial discounts on inbound (think of all those boxes coming in from your suppliers you pay shipping on) and outbound shipments utilizing FedEx®, a leading carrier in the transportation industry.
- Save up to 26%* on select FedEx Express® services
- Save up to 20% on select FedEx Ground® services
- Save up to 10% on select FedEx Home Delivery® services
- Save 62% on freight shipments with FedEx Freight®
The program is FREE, with no obligations and no minimum shipping requirements. You’ll save from your very first shipment — and every shipment after.
*Includes a 5% online processing discount.
For eligible FedEx services and rates, contact your association or PartnerShip. All FedEx shipments are subject to the applicable FedEx Service Guide or FXF 100 Series Rules Tariff. FedEx service marks used by permission.
Call the Council at (800) 442-3589 for more information about the Discount Shipping Program.