HR Connect

Why Has the IRS Published a New Form W-4?

The new W-4 is designed to help employees more accurately calculate their withholding allowances. Federal tax law changes have removed personal and dependent exemptions from the W-4. In the past, the value of a withholding allowance was tied to the amount of a personal exemption. This is no longer the case.

Who Should Complete a New Form W-4?

Current employees are not required to submit a new form. It is only required if you are a new hire in 2020, OR if you wish to update your current W-4 for payrolls dated after January 1, 2020.

Each employee must make withholding decisions on their own, or with the assistance of their individual tax consultant. Withholding is a very individual decision based on each person’s financial and personal situation. The UW is not authorized to provide tax advice.

To help you decide if you should complete a new W-4, review the resources below, and consider if you have had any personal or financial changes in the past year. Remember, you are not required to submit the new form.

New Form W-4 Resources

To help employees learn about and complete the new W-4, FAQs are posted on the IRS website. In January 2020, an IRS Tax Withholding Estimator will be added to the IRS website to further assist employees in making decisions about the new form.

If You Want to Complete a New Form W-4

If you decide after reviewing the new W-4 and applicable resources that you would like to complete a new form, you can submit a Form W-4 at your campus human resource office. Before completing the 2020 form, read the instructions included with the form.

• You must complete Step 1 (personal information) and Step 5 (signing the form).
• Steps 2, 3, and 4 are optional, but completing them will help ensure that your federal income tax withholding will more accurately match your tax liability. Step 2 is for households with multiple jobs. Step 3 is used to claim tax credits for dependents. Step 4 is for other adjustments (additional income such as interest and dividends, itemized deductions that exceed the standard deduction, and extra tax you want withheld).

NEW Employee Self-Service Form W-4

Early in 2020, it is planned that electronic self service will be available for employees to update their W-4 on the MyUW portal. Stay tuned for updates on this as we begin the new year.

Please contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu if you have questions.

Source: UW System Human Resources

As 2019 comes to an end, now is a great time to review your 2020 benefits! Use Self Service to review your Benefits Summary online:

1. Log into the My UW Portal.
2. Go to the ‘Benefit Information’ module.
3. Choose the ‘Summary’ tab and click ‘View Benefits Summary Detail’.
4. In the ‘As of Date’ field, enter 01/01/2020 and click ‘Refresh.’

The information below outlines benefit plan changes for 2020.

Health Insurance
Here are the changes to the State Group Health Insurance Program for 2020:

• Premiums will increase slightly.
• Annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will not change; however, they will reset at the beginning of the new plan year, January 1, 2020.
• Primary Care Provider (PCP): Employees, spouses and dependents enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program for 2020 must select a primary care provider (PCP). For assistance designating a PCP or updating your PCP, contact your health plan directly.
• Newly Covered Services: Bariatric surgery and other weight loss services for participants with a body mass index of 35 or greater; also based on medical necessity.

Pharmacy Benefits (Navitus)
In 2020, vaccinations may be covered at retail pharmacies or at your doctor’s office. Find in-network pharmacies and formulary lists on the Navitus website, or contact Navitus directly with questions at 1-866-333-2757.

Well Wisconsin Program Incentive
Employees and spouses enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program are eligible for the Well Wisconsin Program Incentive. To receive the incentive for 2020, a health screening, health assessment and a Well-Being activity will need to be completed by October 9, 2020.

In addition, StayWell will be launching a new employee portal on January 6, 2020. In preparation for the new portal, the current portal will be unavailable starting December 20, 2019. To access the new employee portal, employees and spouses will need to create a new username and password.

Additional information will come directly from StayWell in early 2020.

Dental Insurance
Review the dental comparison chart for details on the annual maximums and the level of coverage for different services provided by each of the dental plans. Delta Dental will continue to administer all of the dental insurance plans.

Uniform and Preventive Dental Benefits: The Uniform Dental plan is available to employees enrolled in State Group Health Insurance. The Preventive Dental plan is available for employees not enrolled in State Group Health Insurance. Both plans provide preventive dental services. Additionally, coverage for periodontal maintenance will increase from 80% to 100% for both plans in 2020.

Reminder: Evidence Based Integrated Care allows you to access additional dental services (cleanings or topical fluoride treatments) for certain medical conditions. Some examples are cancer therapy, periodontal disease, diabetes, pregnancy, high-risk cardiac conditions, suppressed immune systems, kidney failure and/or dialysis. Contact Delta Dental directly for additional information if you are enrolled in dental insurance and any of these medical situations apply to you and/or your covered spouse/dependent(s).

Supplemental Dental Benefits (Select and Select Plus Plans): One of the main differences between the plans is the provider network. If you enrolled in the Select plan, you should confirm that your dentist is in the PPO network. If you enrolled in the Select Plus plan, you should confirm that your dentist is in the PPO or Premier network. Find a Delta Dental network dentist here.

Vision Insurance (VSP)
There are no changes to the vision insurance plan for 2020.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
The annual maximum for the Health Care and Limited Purpose FSA’s for 2020 is $2,700 (slight increase). The annual maximum for the Dependent Care FSA for 2020 is $5,000 per household (no change).

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
The HSA is a required component of the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).

• HSA Annual Maximum Contribution: Increased to $3,550 for single coverage and $7,100 for family coverage.
• Catch-up Contribution: There is an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution amount maximum for employees that are or will attain age 55+ during the calendar year.
• Employer HSA Contributions: Will remain the same for 2020. $750 for employees enrolled in single coverage and $1,500 for employees enrolled in family coverage. Employees with less than half time rates will receive $375 if enrolled in single coverage and $750 if enrolled in family coverage. Crafts workers are not eligible for the employer HSA contribution.
• Employee Contributions: Contain a triple tax advantage by making contributions, distributions for qualifying expenses and investment earnings tax-free! Employee contributions may be made at any time.

Vendor Change: FSA and HSA
Effective January 1, 2020, the FSA and HSA administrator will change from TASC to ConnectYourCare (CYC). For information regarding this change, review the FSA and HSA – 2020 Vendor Change webpage.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
There are no changes to the AD&D plan for 2020. Reminder: An identity theft protection component is included (LifeStages Identity Management Services from CyberScout).

Accident Insurance
This is a new plan for 2020! This plan may provide cash payment to you in the event of an accident. Review the Accident Insurance page for additional information (including how to file claims shortly following an accident). This plan includes an accidental death & dismemberment component.

Source: UW System Human Resources