Employee Matters

The Employee Compensation and Benefits Services staff prepares this column.

What are May multiple insurance deductions?
May multiple insurance deductions are taken from your May payroll check if you hold one of the following unclassified appointments and are not terminating in June, July or August:

• Faculty or academic staff academic (nine-month) appointment.
• Project or program assistant with an appointment end date in May.

Why multiple deductions?
Multiple insurance deductions are taken from the May payroll check to ensure that your insurance coverage is continuous during the summer. Insurance premium deductions are not taken from summer session payroll. Insurance premium deductions resume with the Oct. 1 payroll check.

How is the number of deductions determined?
Four deductions will be taken for each insurance program, one each for May, June, July and August unless you retire or terminate in June, July or August.

What about multiple deductions for TSA, DC or ERA?
Multiple deductions are not taken for tax shelter annuities, deferred compensation or employee reimbursement accounts. You should consider this when enrolling in these programs. Deductions for these will resume with the Oct. 1 check. For the Salary Reduction Agreement, see http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/retsav/sraform.pdf. See http://nrsretire.nrsservicecenter.com/nrs/?Site=WisconsinDCP to make changes to your deferred compensation account.

How do you continue benefits if terminating employment in the summer?
Advise your department benefits coordinator of the date your employment will end as soon you know and request continuation/conversion information and application forms for all benefit plans you want to continue. Do not delay, as continuation/conversion application deadlines apply to each plan.

How do you continue benefits if retiring in the summer?
Make an appointment with a benefits specialist, 262-1212, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Or complete a form online at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/adm-appt-request-form-uw1305.html.

A benefits specialist can assist with continuation or conversion of all plans and coordinate conversion of sick leave for continuation of your state group health plan through the state Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Are you anticipating a family-status change in the summer?
Notify your department benefits coordinator immediately if a family status change (i.e. marriage, divorce, birth, etc.) occurs during the summer, as most plans have a 30-day deadline for submitting changes. Family status changes can affect a number of benefit plans (i.e. single-to-family, or family-to-single coverage for health insurance, a change to ERA deductions, beneficiary designation changes, etc).

Questions?
Contact a benefits specialist at the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services office, employee@bussvc.wisc.edu, 263-7556, or see http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html.