News / Hot Topics

• STATE HEALTH BENEFITS (SHBP) DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION AUDIT FOR ACTIVE AND RETIREE DEPENDENT
• W2s WILL BE ISSUED BY THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2019
• THE 2018/2019 NEW JERSEY EMPLOYEES CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN
• CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS AND PAY PERIODS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 (FY19)
• SHBP  DENTAL PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS FOR 10-MONTH EMPLOYEES
• TAX INFORMATION
• MINORS ON CAMPUS
• THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE CARE
• DEFENSIVE DRIVING/SAFETY TRAINING – CLASSROOM COURSE
• CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS FOR 2018
• LIFE INSURANCE WAIVER

STATE HEALTH BENEFITS (SHBP) DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION AUDIT FOR ACTIVE AND RETIREE DEPENDENT

The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) initiated a Dependent Eligibility Verification audit (DEVA). The purpose of the audit is to confirm the eligibility of dependents of active and retired members covered under the SHBP.

The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) has contracted the services of Alight Dependent Verification Services to conduct the Dependent Eligibility Verification audit. Employees and Retirees will be required to provide proof of eligibility for dependents covered under the SHBP. SHBP members with covered dependents will receive a letter from the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits with instructions on how to complete the DEVA audit.  Members should contact Alight Dependent Verification Services directly at 1-833-372-8748 for assistance with completing the DEVA adult.

For additional information, please read the Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

W2s WILL BE ISSUED BY THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2019

W2s will be issued by the Payroll Department no later than January 31, 2019. To ensure receipt of your W2, please verify that the College has your correct address on file.

To review your current address as recorded in the College database, please go to the Banner web self-service site at https://ssb.ramapo.edu/pls/RCNJ/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin

After you log into the Ramapo Self Service:

• Click on “Personal Information,” then
• “View Addresses and Phones.”

If the address listed as your Permanent Legal Address is not your current address, please complete an address change form to update your address at the following link:  https://www.ramapo.edu/hr/files/2013/04/Address-Change-Form_fc0162.pdf

Please return the completed form to the Human Resources Benefits Office as soon as possible to ensure delivery of your W-2 to your correct address.

While logged into Banner web self-service, you may opt to go paperless and select electronic delivery of your tax documents. Electronic delivery allows employees to access and print documents as needed including documents from prior years.

To sign up for Electronic Delivery:

• Select the employee tab on the main menu,
• Select “Tax Forms”,
• Select “Electronic W-2 consent”,
• Check off “Consent to receive W-2 and 1095-C electronically”
• Hit submit.

It is also a good time to review and update your Emergency Contact and Alert Me Now information under “Personal Information” tab in Ramapo Self Service.

Review Your Tax Withholding for 2019

The Payroll Office reminds all employees (faculty, staff, and student workers) to review and update their Federal and State tax withholding allowances for 2019 – particularly if you have had a life event such as a dependent change, death, divorce, marriage, or separation.

Employees who wish to claim an exemption from Federal and/or State tax withholding in 2019 must submit a W4 form to the Payroll Office no later than January 31, 2019.  Please note, if you were exempt from taxes in 2019 and wish to continue to be exempt, you must refresh your withholding allowance and submit a new W4 for 2019. Please visit the Payroll webpage  for more information or contact the Payroll Office, Ext. 7783.

 

THE 2018/2019 NEW JERSEY EMPLOYEES CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

The New Jersey Employees Charitable Campaign is an opportunity for you to support causes focusing on health, welfare, educational, and environmental programs meaningful to you.  With over 1,100 participating charities, finding one that speaks to you has never been easier.  Donating through the NJECC is also a simple way to spread your charitable donations over the entire year using payroll deduction.

Your contribution, combined with the pledges of thousands of your fellow state employees, will help New Jerseyans in every part of the state, citizens across the nation, and people throughout the world.  Together we make a tremendous impact on the lives of others.  We strengthen communities and bring hope for a better tomorrow.

This is your opportunity to make a difference.

For more information click here.

For pledging instructions click here.

CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS AND PAY PERIODS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 (FY19)

The number of working days for 12-month employees remains unchanged at 260 for Fiscal Year 2019. The number of working days for 10-month employees for Fiscal Year 2019 will be 215. Therefore, 12-month employees will have 26 pay periods and 10-month employees will have 21.5 pay periods in FY19. The first pay period in Fiscal Year 2019 will be the pay dated July 13, 2017 (RB14).

SHBP  DENTAL PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS FOR 10-MONTH EMPLOYEES

In order for employees in 10-month positions (working from September 1^st to June 30^th) to maintain State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) coverage during the summer months extra deductions will commence in the June 1, 2018 pay. Visit the 10-month deduction schedule for details.

10-month employees who do not return to eligible employment on September 1st will continue coverage through August 31, 2018 and will receive COBRA notification and enrollment information for the option to elect COBRA coverage.

TAX INFORMATION

If you are currently claiming an exemption from federal or state tax withholding and wish to do so again in calendar year 2018, you must complete new W4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance forms for both federal and state.  Please submit them to the Payroll Office no later than January 31, 2018.  If a form is not submitted, the Payroll Office will automatically withhold at the single/0 exemption rate beginning with the pay date of February 9, 2018 for faculty/staff and February 16, 2018 for students.

If a recent marriage, divorce, separation or dependent change has occurred, you may need to consider a revision to your tax withholding allowances.  W4 forms are available at www.ramapo.edu/payroll/forms or in the Payroll Office.

CAUTION:  Please carefully review your tax liability before claiming exempt from state or federal withholding.

MINORS ON CAMPUS

Preventing child abuse and promoting the safety and welfare of students and minors on our campus is the responsibility of every member of the community. As an institution, we review our existing policies and procedures periodically to ensure that effective controls are in place at Ramapo College. This includes having reporting mechanisms in place should any person have reason to believe that a child participating in any of our programs, or visiting our campus, may be a victim of child abuse or other related inappropriate conduct.

Any employee or person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR) at 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873).  If the child is in immediate danger call 911 or Ramapo Public Safety at extension 6666, and then the Registry. A concerned caller does not need proof to report an allegation of child abuse and can make the report anonymously.  Useful information from the NJ Department of Children and Families is provided at this link:
http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/news/publications/HotlinesHelplines2012.pdf

If you have any questions about your duty to report child abuse, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (201) 684-6666.

For more information please visit the Department of Children and Families web site at:
http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/reporting/how/index.html

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE CARE

Routine checkups and screenings can help you avoid serious health problems, allowing you and your doctor to work as a team to manage your overall health, and help you reach your personal health and wellness goals.

What is Preventive Care?

Preventive care focuses on maintaining your health, and establishing your baseline health status. This may include immunizations, vaccines, physical evaluations, lab work, x-rays and medically appropriate health screenings. During your preventive visit, your doctor will determine what tests or screenings are appropriate for you based on many factors such as your age, gender, overall health status, personal health history and your current symptoms or chronic health concerns.

Click the link to access the Preventive Health Guidelines for both Children and Adults. Preventive_Health_Guidelines

DEFENSIVE DRIVING/SAFETY TRAINING – CLASSROOM COURSE

The recently adopted Motor Vehicle Policy requires individuals that drive College vehicles/golf carts complete a defensive driving course every three years.  This is in addition to the requirement of obtaining an annual driver’s abstract for each employee who drives College vehicles/golf carts.  The Department of Human Resources and Environmental Health/Safety Department are offering on-campus defensive driving courses and will launch an online version shortly.  Either the online or classroom training is required – you do not need to complete both courses.    The Human Resources Department must have run and received a satisfactory driver’s abstract before an employee can be eligible for defensive driving training.  Please contact Human Resources with any questions at x7506 or email driving@ramapo.edu.

ON-CAMPUS TRAINING (A 6-hour classroom session)

New Jersey residents attending the on-campus course have the option to pay a $10 fee to receive a 2 point reduction from their motor vehicle record and/or request an insurance discount (this fee cannot be expensed to the College).  Individuals should contact the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles (609-292-7500) prior to the training if you have questions about points on your license, as well as your insurance company to verify eligibility for an insurance discount.   Please note that prior supervisor approval is required as this training program is a 6-hour course.

Course Dates/Times:

November 13, 2018 – Laurel Hall 04 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Register at:  link

ONLINE TRAINING 

Online Defensive Driver training is also available.  Arrangements must be made through the Department of Human Resources at ext. 7498.

Supervisory approval is required for participation in either training program.

CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS FOR 2018

Effective January 1, 2018 the annual contribution limit for both 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities and 457(b) deferred compensation plans (pretax and Roth contributions) is  $18,500.  In addition, employees who are age 50 and over may contribute an additional $6,000 annually per plan.  For those eligible employees who are within 3 years of retirement age as stated in the plan there may be the potential take advantage of the enhanced catch-up provision.

Employees under age 50 before December 31, 2018 may defer up to $37,000 in 2018 between the plans.  Employees age 50 or older before December 31, 2018 may defer up to $49,000 in 2018 between the plans.

If you wish to increase your current contribution level for year 2018 or you would like to review your current withholding percentage please contact Valerie Hunter (ext. 7502) or Johnie Burton (ext. 7230) to schedule an appointment.  We highly recommend that you review your pay stubs on an ongoing basis to track your year- to- date deferrals which may vary with any salary fluctuations. We also recommend that you meet with your plan representative on an annual basis to review your account status.  A schedule of meeting dates is available on the Benefits webpage at the following link under “Save the Date” tab:  link

LIFE INSURANCE WAIVER

Members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP) may waive their non-contributory group life insurance over $50,000 to avoid federal and state tax liability.  Any member who waives the non-contributory life insurance must waive the total amount of coverage in excess of $50,000. Waiver forms are available at:

http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epbam/exhibits/pdf/rm0674.pdf

The Division of Pensions and Benefits must receive waivers on or before December 31 to be effective January 1 of the next calendar year.  A copy of the waiver should also be sent to the Benefits Office.