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New IRS withholding tables result in more take-home pay for most employees this spring

The Internal Revenue Service has released new income tax withholding tables that incorporate the Making Work Pay Tax Credit—a key tax provision included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which became law in February of this year. The new withholding tables will be effective starting with the April 10, 2009, payday.

The provision provides a refundable tax credit of up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. The tax credit will be spread out over paychecks beginning April 10 through the end of the 2009 calendar year. The credit will phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Employees will receive the benefit of this change without action on their part. It is not necessary to submit the IRS’s W-4 form to receive the Making Work Pay Tax Credit; however, employees with multiple jobs or married couples whose combined income places them in a higher tax bracket may want to submit 2009 W-4 forms to ensure that adequate tax is withheld for the combined income.

The credit amount must be reported on the employee's 2009 income tax return filed in 2010. Taxpayers who do not have taxes withheld by an employer during the year can also claim the credit on their 2009 tax return.

Please note that the Making Work Pay Tax Credit does not affect 2008 income tax returns. For more information, visit the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204335,00.html.

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Part-time employees' health insurance premium increase begins May 8

Based on 2008 legislative changes, UF will pay higher rates for its employees’ health plans beginning with the May 8 paycheck. Benefits-eligible, full-time UF employees will continue to pay the same amount as in 2008; however, part-time employees will experience a proportional increase based on their full-time equivalency (FTE)—beginning in May—for June coverage.

New biweekly contributions for full-time employees:

Premium contributions for part-time employees may be calculated using this formula:

• Step 1: (employer contribution) x FTE = (calculated employer contribution)
• Step 2: (total contribution) - (calculated employer contribution) = (employee’s contribution)

For example, an employee with individual coverage of .50 FTE would calculate his or her contribution as follows:

• Step 1: $224.34 (bi-weekly) x .50 FTE = $112.17(bi-weekly)
• Step 2: $249.34(bi-weekly) - $112.17(bi-weekly) = $137.17(bi-weekly)

The employee would pay $137.17 per biweekly pay period.

Employees who have questions or concerns about these changes should contact University Benefits and Retirement at 392-2477 or benefits@ufl.edu.

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Premium increase for over-age dependent health plan coverage

As a result of legislative action, effective May 2009 for June coverage, employees who have enrolled dependents in the new over-age dependent health plan for dependents ages 19 to 30 will experience a rate increase from $449.26 to $498.68 for one over-age dependent.

Employees will be allowed to cancel this particular plan based on the qualifying status change (QSC) event reflected on the QSC form as a significant cost increase. Those who wish to cancel must do so by June 1, the last weekday falling within the 31-day QSC window; otherwise, unless employees experience a subsequent qualifying event, they will remain in the program until open enrollment.

Employees and retirees enrolled in this program will receive a letter in April from the State of Florida notifying them of the rate change and the option to cancel the insurance. For questions regarding the premium increase, please contact University Benefits and Retirement at (352) 392-2477 or benefits@ufl.edu.

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Employees must report 2008-09 overtime and compensatory leave by May 14

All non-exempt USPS and TEAMS employees as well as exempt USPS employees may use overtime and special compensatory leave, as applicable, through June 30, 2009 —the end of the fiscal year. The leave must be entered into the myUFL system’s Weekly Elapsed Screen no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009. If leave is not entered by the deadline, it will automatically be cashed out during the pay period ending May 28, for the payday of Friday, June 5.

If you need to make corrections to prior entries of overtime or special compensatory leave that impact 2008-09 balances, changes must be entered May 14 by 5 p.m. and approved by 9 a.m. on May 15.

If you plan to use overtime or special compensatory leave before June 30, 2009, the time should be entered in advance for the date on which you plan to use the leave. To do so, enter a future “week beginning date,” click “refresh date,” then enter the number of compensatory leave hours, along with the proper time-reporting code, on the anticipated, or projected, date of use (see below). Regardless of the date on which the compensatory leave use will occur (through June 30, 2009), it must be entered by 5 p.m. on May 14, 2009.

After logging into myUFL, navigate to My Self Service > Time Reporting > Time Reporting Home > Report Weekly Elapsed Time.

Non-exempt employees—USPS and TEAMS:

• Begin with a new blank line
  
• Input the compensatory leave hours to be used and then select the appropriate leave type in the “Time Reporting Code” menu (“OCT” for overtime compensatory leave use and “SCU” for special compensatory leave use)
• Click the “Save” button to save entry
• Review the confirmation screen and click “OK”

Exempt USPS employees:

• At the default schedule, change the blank “Time Reporting Code” (TRC) field to the "regular" TRC
• Adjust the hours on that line to reflect the actual hours worked
  
• Click on “Add a New Line” to input your compensatory leave to be used (“SCU” for special compensatory leave use)
• Click the “Save” button to save work
• Review the confirmation screen and click “OK”

If you have questions, please contact Leave Administration at 392-5732 or Payroll Services at 392-1231.

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Invest in yourself this summer: 
Take advantage of free professional development opportunities right here in Gainesville

Registration for UF Training and Organizational Development’s summer schedule of courses opens April 13

Registration for summer training opportunities, sponsored by UF Training and Organizational Development, will open April 13. Offered free of charge to interested faculty and staff, these workshops represent an opportunity to invest in yourself as part of your commitment to personal and professional development. To register, visit the myUFL system (my.ufl.edu), My Self Service, Training and Development Home, Request Training Enrollment. Remember: Registration opens April 13.

Managing at UF: The Supervisory Challenge—Get Certified in Two Weeks!

June 1-12
If you manage people at the University of Florida, this series is designed with you in mind. You'll learn about effective hiring and selection practices, ways in which to give effective feedback, coaching as a way to increase productivity, and fair and legal human resource practices. Take four core courses and two electives of choice to complete your certification.

Pro3 Series
Designed for administrative professionals at UF, the Pro3 Series includes three certification tracks: Fiscal Management, HR/Payroll Management, and Academic Department Support. All Pro3 workshops will be offered at least once this summer. Now’s a great time to learn about the university’s administrative framework as you work on the appropriate certification based on your role.

Business Communication Week—May 18-22
Being able to communicate effectively in writing and in person is essential to success in the workplace. Take advantage of workshops offered during our Business Communication Week to improve your skills.

myUF Market Training—May and June
Hands-on myUF Market training—“Intro to Purchasing in myUF Market”—will be held in May and June. This class is designed for those employees designated “requestors.” The myUF Market is a new user-friendly online marketplace designed to streamline the way your department purchases its goods and services. The adoption of myUF Market represents UF’s ongoing commitment to initiatives that strategically reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Attend training during your college’s targeted week of training. Visit http://www.purchasing.ufl.edu/myufmarket/default.htm for more information.

Also available this summer:

• Computer application training on various Microsoft applications (MS 2007)
• myUFL training—financial, HR, and reporting
• Quality Customer Service
• Orientation to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
• Attitude/Radiating Possibility
• Take Charge of Change
• Project Management
• Cyber Safeguards for UF Restricted Data and Cyber Self-Defense—offered by UF Computing and Networking Services
• RAD—Self Defense for Women—offered by the UF Police Department
• Psychoneuroimmunology I & II—offered by the Employee Assistance Program
• Saving Energy at Home and Work—offered by the Office of Sustainability
• FRS/DROP Workshop and Social Security/Medicare Overview—sponsored by University Retirement

Visit www.hr.ufl.edu/training for more information, including a schedule of dates and times. Questions? Please contact UF Training and Org. Development at training@ufl.edu.

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Lapse in summer deductions for UF-sponsored insurance plans does not impact coverage

If you participate in certain UF-sponsored insurance plans, you will notice a temporary increase in take-home pay over the summer. Based on your appointment status, your deduction cycle for these university-sponsored plans will vary.

For employees on 12-month appointments, deductions for UF Term Life group life insurance and AIG personal accident insurance will stop over the summer. All other UF-sponsored benefit deductions will continue.

Employees on 9- and 10-month appointments will not have deductions taken over the summer for UF Term Life group life insurance, AIG personal accident insurance, CNA long-term disability and long-term care, Monumental whole life insurance, or HRH auto insurance.

The last deductions taken for all mentioned plans will be on April 24 and will resume with the September 11 paycheck.

If you have questions about your insurance deductions, please contact your nearest HRS satellite office or University Benefits and Retirement at (352) 392-2477 or benefits@ufl.edu.

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FRS plan members can now view Personal Forecast Statement and Executive Director’s Report online

For the first time this year, Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension and Investment Plan members can find information to create a Personal Forecast Statement (PFS) online. The PFS document, along with the Executive Director’s Report, has also been placed in each member’s online bulletin board. In an effort to cut costs, the documents will no longer be printed and mailed.

The PFS and Executive Director's Report are directed to FRS-covered Pension Plan and Investment Plan employees. The following documents do not apply to:

• New employees still within their initial enrollment period – employees will be able access the Advisor Service after their initial elections are made
• Employees in Temporary or OPS positions
• Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) participants
• FRS retirees  

The PFS does not include personal information; it simply encourages members to use the online Advisor Service available on MyFRS.com to create a picture of a member’s current financial situation and helps them answer the following questions:

• Will I have enough money to retire?
• How do I invest my retirement savings?
• How do I stay on track to achieve my goals?

Members needing help with the Advisor Service can call the toll-free MyFRS financial guidance line at 1-866-446-9377 (TTY 1-888-429-2160), select option 2, and speak with a financial planner.

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2009 Davis Productivity Award winners announced

The Davis Productivity Awards, an annual program honoring state government employees throughout Florida, has announced its winners for 2009, including the following teams and individuals from the University of Florida.

The teams and individuals from UF who have been identified as 2009 winners for their “innovation, creativity, and smart work” are:

Maria Ralat, Senior Chemist, IFAS
Notable Cash Award of $200
Increased Output of Research Laboratory

Fan Coil Modification Team, PPD—Health Science Center
Plaque Award
Modified a Fan Coil Unit
Team Members: Marvin Davis, David Whiting

University of Florida Subaward Database Team, Contracts and Grants
Plaque Award
Developed Contract and Grant Subaward Management System
Team Members: Nick Dunham, Edward Parker

Dr. James Bailey, Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine
Plaque Award
Improved Function, Increased Profit, Created State Revenue Savings

Lena Hinson, Program Assistant, Levin College of Law
Plaque Award
Streamlined Procedures for Two Programs at Law School

Community Campaign Online Conversion Team, Joint effort by University Relations, Bridges, and the United Way of North Central Florida
Certificate of Commendation
Converted $1 Million Charitable Campaign to Online Giving Program
Team Members: Karen Bricklemeyer, Susan Crowley, Beatrice Fernandez, Juan Yip

Transcript Revenue Generator Task Force, Office of the University Registrar and the Chief Information Office
Certificate of Commendation
Designed and Implemented an Online Transcript Order System
Team Members: Mallori Cain, Walt Collier, Sharon O’Quinn, Jonathan Peine

The awards program also recognizes individuals and work units that have adapted or implemented previous years’ award-winning achievements to create added value.

For a complete list of team members associated with these awards or for more information about the Davis Productivity Awards program, please visit http://www.hr.ufl.edu/awards/davis or contact UF’s Agency Coordinator, Jamie Cooke, at jamie-cooke@ufl.edu or (352) 273-1761.

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

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Employee Education Program now accepting applications for summer semesters

The Employee Education Program (EEP) is a popular benefit available to eligible UF faculty and staff. The program provides tuition assistance for up to six credit hours of eligible college-level courses per semester. In the summer, a combined total of six credits taken during semesters A, B, and C may be covered by the EEP.

Employees interested in participating in the EEP during the summer semesters should register and complete their applications by the following deadlines:

UF students only:
Summer A/C 2009: EEP Registration Period: May 7 – 12, 2009
EEP Applications Due: 5:00 p.m. on May 13, 2009.
Registration after May 12, 2009, is subject to a $100 late registration fee.
Summer B 2009: EEP Registration Period: June 25 – 30, 2009
EEP Applications Due: 5:00 p.m. on July 1, 2009.
Registration after June 30, 2009, is subject to a $100 late registration fee.

Santa Fe College (SFC) students only:
Summer/Summer A 2009:
EEP Applications Due: April 30, 2009. If you register on or before this date, your EEP application is due to the SFC cashier’s office by 4:00 p.m. on April 30, 2009. You may still register after the registration date listed above; however, the EEP application must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. the next business day after registering.
Summer B 2009:
EEP Applications Due: June 30, 2009. If you register on or before this date, your EEP application is due to the SFC cashier’s office by 4:00 p.m. on June 30, 2009. You may still register after the early registration date listed above; however, the EEP application must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. the next business day after registering.

Students attending other institutions should register before the registration deadlines at their approved institutions. Completed applications for the summer 2009 semesters must be turned in by Friday, April 10, 2009, to Jamie Cooke, Education Coordinator, by fax at (352) 392-1055 or via email at jamie-cooke@ufl.edu.

For program participation requirements, eligibility, and application deadlines, please visit www.hr.ufl.edu/education/eep. For questions about this program, please contact Jamie Cooke, UF Training and Organizational Development, at (352)273-1761 or jamie-cooke@ufl.edu.

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©2009 University of Florida Office of Human Resource Services
The InfoGator is a monthly e-publication produced by the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resource Services. It is distributed electronically to UF faculty and staff and is available online. Please direct questions or comments to its editor, Angela Gould; Human Resource Services; P.O. Box 115006; (352) 392-4626; TDD 800-955-8771. The InfoGator is available in an alternative format upon request.