Author: sipiorsk@uwgb.edu

The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) recently announced the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) employee and employer contribution rates effective January 1, 2021. WRS rates are evaluated and adjusted annually.

Positive investment returns in 2019 were offset by the effect of salary and demographic experience resulting in no change in rates for the general, executive, and elected category. There will be a small increase in rates for the protective categories.

Contribution increase and decrease fluctuations are considered normal for retirement systems like the WRS that pre-fund retirement benefits.

UW System employee contribution rates are determined by employment category. Most UW System employees are in the General/Teacher/Executive category. Employees with law enforcement or public protection duties (police officers, fire fighters) are in the Protective category.

The 2021 rates will apply to all paychecks paid in 2021; beginning January 4, 2021 for Faculty/Academic Staff and Limited Appointees paid monthly, and January 14, 2021 for University Staff paid bi-weekly. As a reminder, WRS contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis for state and federal tax purposes.

For more information visit the WRS webpage on the UW System Employee Benefits website.

Source: UW System Human Resources

In accordance with SYS 1200-Interim 03, FMLA Expansion, additional paid family and medical leave for a qualifying need related to a public health emergency is provided.  It also expands the eligibility criteria for this specific type of Emergency Family and Medical Leave in compliance with the provision of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020.

Employees who have worked in the 30 days prior to claiming leave and have a qualifying need related to a public health emergency are eligible for this expanded FMLA.  A qualifying need related to a public health emergency means the employee is unable to work (or telework) due to a need for leave to care for their son or daughter under 18 years of age if the school or place of care has been closed, or the childcare provider is unavailable due to a public health emergency.

Employees with a qualifying need related to a public health emergency may take up to twelve (12) weeks of Public Health Emergency Leave subject to supervisory approval and the following provisions: 

• • The first ten (10) days of leave are unpaid
    • If the employee has sufficient accrued vacation, personal or sick leave, then the employee may elect to utilize any of these paid leave options to remain in paid status during these initial ten days.  An employee may also elect to use COVID-19 leave during this period, pursuant to SYS 1200-Iterim 02, COVID-19 Leave Policy.
  • After the first ten (10) days, the remainder of the leave is paid at 2/3 (66.67%) of the employee’s normal pay, or $200/day, whichever is less.
    • An employee may use any available paid leave during this period to remain at 100% of the employee’s normal pay.

1. The expanded FMLA is not provided in addition to current FMLA provisions. The total time available to an employee for any combination of FMLA leave and Public Health Emergency Leave is twelve (12) week.  In order to be in compliance with the expanded FMLA provisions, the Office of Human Resources is requesting that all employees who are unable to work (or telework) due to childcare reasons related to COVID-19 reach out directly to hr@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2390.

Please see the COVID-19 Leave & FMLA Expansion – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.

Many UW System employees and their families are working through changes to their daily routines due to COVID-19.  The Benefits During the COVID-19 Pandemic Chart provides a summary of benefit plan changes you may be able to make during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as links to valuable pandemic-related resources.

Many UW System employees and their families are working through change to their daily routines due to COVID-19. Watch these brief videos to help you understand why this change is necessary:

• This 90 second video explains the curve of the healthcare system and how you may contribute to flattening it out simply by doing your part.
• If you are able to work from home, keep in mind these top five tips for working from home.

If you are covered by the State Group Health Insurance Program, you may have questions on if or how your doctor’s visit will be covered if you or a covered dependent shows symptoms of COVID-19. To answer your questions regarding testing, telehealth, biometric screening cancellations and more, visit the Department of Employee Trust Fund’s (ETF) COVID-19 webpage. ETF’s webpage includes information about using telehealth and nurse line services as an alternative to an office visit.

If you are enrolled in the Dependent Day Care Account and have experienced a change in the cost of your day care provider (e.g. your day care has closed), you may be able to decrease your contribution amount. Per IRS guidelines, changes due to qualifying life events must be made within 30 days. To make a change, submit a change form to your human resources office.

Finally, we realize that the current situation may cause stress and worry for you and your family. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to UW System employees, their spouses or significant others, and their dependents. Services available may include a consultation on legal or financial concerns or help with how to handle an unexpected day care situation (e.g., child day care or adult/elder care). Visit the EAP webpage for more information.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Each year, State Group Life Insurance premiums are updated on April 1. For University Staff and Academic Staff non-exempt employees (paid bi-weekly), the premium update will be reflected on the April 9, 2020 paycheck. For Faculty/Academic Staff/Limited Appointees (paid monthly), the premium update will be reflected on the April 1, 2020 paycheck.

Current enrollees in the State Group Life insurance program can review their updated premiums at: State Group Life Premium Notice. Current enrollees were sent an email March 13 with a link to this customized web page.

State Group Life Insurance premium and coverage levels are based on:

• • An employee’s highest calendar year of eligible earnings
  • An employee’s age as of April 1 each year
  • The coverage level the employee has elected

Employees who have changed age categories, or have had a salary change since April 1, 2019, will have a premium change effective April 1, 2020.

Premium Increase
Effective April 1, 2020, in addition to the annual premium update, State Group Life Insurance premiums will increase for most age categories. Premiums for spouse and dependent coverage will decrease slightly. Review the 2020 State Group Life Insurance premiums.

The UW System contributes towards a portion of the cost of your State Group Life Basic and Supplemental Insurance coverage. You pay the full cost of Additional, Spouse and Dependent coverage.

The benefit premium changes were approved by the Group Insurance Board which oversees the administration of the State Group Life Insurance program.

Questions?
For general information about the State Group Life insurance plan, visit the State Group Life Insurance plan page or visit ALEX. If you have questions about the premium update or increase, contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu.

Source: UW System Human Resources

In December 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a new Form W-4 designed to help employees better estimate accurate tax withholding throughout the year. Too little tax withheld can result in a tax bill when taxes are filed. Too much tax withheld means you will receive a tax refund, and your money will not be available to spend or invest until your tax refund is received.

Online Self-Service Form W-4

To facilitate the completion of the new Form W-4, the UW now offers an online self-service Form W-4. Completion of this new form is not required, but all employees are encouraged to review the new form and their individual tax situation.

To access the new form, log into the MyUW portal for UW System institutions or for UW-Madison. In the Payroll Information tile, click on the Update W-4 button.

The Update Federal and/or State Form W-4 tip sheet is a resource available to help you use self-service to complete Form W-4.

How do I Determine How Much Tax I Should Have Withheld?

The Tax Withholding Estimator is a tool on the IRS website designed to help you determine how to have the correct amount of tax withheld from your paychecks so you don’t have too much or too little federal income tax withheld.

Before you use the tax withholding estimator:

• Gather the most recent earnings statements for yourself, and if you are married filing jointly, for your spouse.
• Gather information for other sources of income.
• Have your most recent income tax return available.
• Use whole dollar amounts in the estimator.

Keep in mind that the tax withholding estimator’s results will only be as accurate as the information you enter. If you have questions about the new Form W-4 or the available resources, please contact your Payroll office. Please note that the UW is not authorized to provide tax advice.

Source: UW-Shared Services, Service Operations