Paycheck reminders for the new year

Dec. 13, 2021: The article has been corrected to state that employees paid bi-weekly do not contribute in advance for account-based plans. 

As the new year approaches, you may see a few changes in your paycheck. And if you’re paid bi-weekly, those changes could begin with your Dec. 8, 2021, paycheck.

UC employee medical premiums are paid in advance of the coverage month. Therefore, employees enrolled for medical coverage will notice January 2022 benefit premium deductions starting with their Dec. 8, 2021, paychecks if they’re paid bi-weekly, and starting with their Jan. 3, 2022, paychecks if they’re paid monthly. You may see a change in your premiums even if you didn’t change plans. Your share of the benefits premium in 2022 is based on your full-time salary rate as of Jan. 1, 2021, and though UC works hard to keep costs for its medical plans stable, some employee medical plan costs for 2022 have increased.

Employees paid bi-weekly do not contribute in advance for account-based plans, such as flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). These contributions will begin with Jan. 5, 2022, paychecks for employees paid bi-weekly.

Be W-2 savvy

Accessing your W-2 electronically is convenient and safe. Remember that UC does not send actual W-2 statements to employees by email or text. You must sign in to UCPath using a safe, known link to view your electronic W-2. If you receive an email or text that has a link or an attachment for viewing your W-2, it is a phishing scam designed to gain your private information. Do not open any attachments or click on any email links that claim to give you access to your W-2!