It’s always a good idea to take a close look at your first paycheck in January to confirm your benefits enrollments and your voluntary pretax contributions (for example, for flexible spending accounts, retirement savings or commuter costs). Changes in your benefits coverage and rates, or in your voluntary contribution to retirement savings, will be reflected in your paycheck.
You may see other changes depending on your situation — for example, if you requested a change in your tax withholdings or transitioned from casual to career status (which changes your deductions for retirement benefits).
You may also see a few IRS changes reflected in your January paycheck:
- The OASDI (old age, survivors and disability insurance) tax will be withheld from income up to $132,900 in 2019. If you reached the maximum last year, your deductions will restart in January.
- The Additional Medicare Tax will restart if your salaries and wages exceed $200,000 for 2019.
- The annual deferral limit for 403(b) and 457(b) plans increased from $18,500 to $19,000.
If you have any questions about your paycheck, you can contact your local Payroll Office or UCPath.