Beginning in July 2021, all UW–Madison employees will be moved to a biweekly pay schedule. This change standardizes the payroll schedule for all UW System employees. Employees have access to a number of tools and resources at hr.wisc.edu/single-payroll to help them prepare for this change. Several online tools enable employees to view pay schedules for 2021 and 2022, as well as estimated paycheck amounts. Those who wish to estimate their new paycheck amounts can use the Paycheck Estimator tool. The Pay Date Model displays gross earnings by pay date based on an employee’s annual salary. Employees are encouraged to use these resources to help with the personal financial planning associated with the change from a monthly to a biweekly payroll schedule. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 608-265-2257 or send an email to 2021payrollchanges@ohr.wisc.edu.

University Health Services will be hosting a virtual Town Hall entitled “Where we are now” on Monday, June 14, noon–1 p.m. Campus experts will provide information about reuniting on campus and changing public health guidance. With safe and effective vaccines now available to everyone age 12 and older, all members of the campus community will need to navigate these transitions together. The Town Hall will be live on YouTube at go.wisc.edu/covidtransition and will be captioned and interpreted. A recording of the presentation will be available for viewing on covidresponse.wisc.edu.

Flexibility has been added to Healthcare FSAs and Dependent Day Care Accounts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Healthcare FSAs, the annual carryover limit has been increased to $1,000 (from $550) from plan year 2020 to plan year 2021. In addition, a number of changes are in effect for Dependent Day Care accounts, including an increase in the age limit for qualifying dependent children, an added annual carryover limit, and an increase in the annual contribution limit. There is also a one-time opportunity to increase one’s annual contribution to a Dependent Day Care account without a qualifying life event outside of Annual Benefits Enrollment in the fall. The deadline to submit a completed form is June 30. For questions about your FSA account, contact Optum Financial / ConnectYourCare at 833-881-8158. For questions on your FSA payroll deductions or on submitting a Dependent Day Care change form, contact your local HR department.

UW–Madison will observe a legal holiday for Independence Day on Monday, July 5. When a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the legal holiday is observed and UW–Madison is closed on the Monday following the legal holiday.