Revised FY 2011-12 Fringe Benefits Schedule – Social Security Wage Base/Tax Rate Changes

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:tttPrincipal Investigators, Fiscal Officers, and Employees

 

FROM:ttNelson Sakamoto, Director of Human Resources

 

SUBJECT:tRevised FY 2011-12 Fringe Benefits Schedule – Social Security Wage Base/Tax Rate Changes

 

ATTENTION All Principal Investigators/Fiscal Officers:

 

Effective January 1, 2012, the Social Security wage base will increase from $106,800 to $110,100. Earnings above the Social Security wage base in a given payroll year are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security taxes.  As in prior years, there is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare tax; therefore, all covered wages are still subject to the 1.45% tax.  See the RCUH Policy 3.510 RCUH Fringe Benefits Schedule for the updated RCUH Fringe Benefits Schedule effective January 1, 2012.

 

Please plan accordingly for these changes.

 

2012 Tax Withholdings

TO:                tt All RCUH Employees

SUBJECT:             2012 Tax Withholdings

You may want to take the time now at the beginning of the year, to review your tax status and withholding allowances on the W-4 form (for Federal Withholding Tax) and HW-4 form (for Hawaii State Withholding Tax).  Changes to tax status and allowances can be completed at any time during the year, but too much or too little withholdings during the year may result in large payments or large refunds when you file your tax returns next April.

Changes to your W-4 or HW-4 form may be submitted online on the RCUH Employee Self-Service system (ESS).  Once successfully submitted, your changes will be in effect on your next available paycheck.  Please note that changes to tax forms, as well as personal information, are not allowed during certain days while payroll is being processed.  You may refer to the 2012 RCUH Human Resources Personnel Action and Payroll Schedule for a list of the dates when the ESS system is not available for changes (listed under “ESS Blackout Period.”)

Act 001 – the Civil Unions Law – which allows couples to enter into civil unions as of January 1, 2012 in Hawaii, will afford benefits similar to those of married couples to civil union couples.  However, federal law does NOT recognize civil unions as legal unions.  If you are considering entering into a civil union, we suggest that you contact your tax advisor on how this may affect your taxes.

RCUH Timesheet for January 1-15 pay period

In order to minimize searching for the RCUH timesheets each pay period, we will have the current RCUH timesheet available in the Current News section of the RCUH website on the first working day of each pay period.

 

Click Here for the January 1-15 Timesheet

 

Payroll Deadline is January 17, 2012, 12noon

Payday for this timesheet is January 20, 2012

 

Next Announcement:  January 17 (January 16-31 pay period).

TRAINING SESSIONS 1) RCUH Updates to Policies, 2) Work Performance (Problems and Solutions), 3) EEO/SH Prevention, and 4) Job Descriptions Training Sessions

 RCUH will be conducting the following training sessions below for the months of January-March 2012.

January Training – Updates to Policies

1/17/2012     9:00-10:30 a.m., UH Manoa – Kuykendall Auditorium

1/20/2012     9:00-10:30 a.m., Hilo – IFA Auditorium

1/24/2012     9:00-10:30 a.m., JABSOM Kakaako – Rm TBA

1/27/2012     9:00-10:30 a.m., Maui College, Laulima 103

February Training – Work Performance (Problems & Solutions)

2/3/2012      9:00-10:30 a.m., Hilo – IFA Auditorium

2/10/2012    9:00-10:30 a.m., Maui College – Laulima 103

2/28/2012    9:00-10:30 a.m., JABSOM Kakaako – Rm TBA

2/29/2012    9:00-10:30 a.m., UH Manoa – Kuykendall Auditorium

March Training – EEO/SH Prevention Training

*Supervisors must attend session for employees.  Employees will be dismissed and supervisor session will begin after a 5-minute break.

3/2/2012      9:00-11:00 a.m. (employees, supervisors) 11:00-12:00  (continue with supervisors only) Kauai CC – Tech 114

3/9/2012      9:00-11:00 a.m. (employees, supervisors) 11:00-12:00 continue with supervisors only), Hilo – IFA Auditorium

3/13/2012    9:00-11:00 a.m. (employees, supervisors) 11:00-12:00  (continue with supervisors only), UH Manoa – Kuykendall Auditorium

3/16/2012    9:00-11:00 a.m. (employees, supervisors) 11:00-12:00 (continue with supervisors only), Maui College – Laulima 103

3/27/2012    9:00-11:00 a.m. (employees, supervisors) 11:00-12:00  (continue with supervisors only), JABSOM Kakaako – Rm TBA

 Job Descriptions Training

3/20/2012    9:00-11:00 a.m., UH Manoa – Kuykendall Auditorium

3/23/2012    9:00-11:00 a.m., Hilo, IFA Auditorium       

RSVP to Moana at [email protected].  Please provide your name, position title, project/program name, contact phone number and email address.

 Training material will be emailed to attendees prior to the session.

Meetings are accessible for individuals with disabilities.  For more information or to request an accommodation due to your disability, contact (808) 956-3100 or email [email protected] at least one week prior to the session.

Export Compliance: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) – Revised Memorandum to Principal Investigators and Upcoming Training Sessions

On February 22, 2011, RCUH introduced a new H-1B/O-1 Export Compliance Certification Form (I-100) in response to the new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirement for employers to certify whether a nonimmigrant H-1B or O-1 worker will be performing work that is subject to the U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and if an export license will be required.  Please see our revised memorandum on ITAR/EAR Guidelines for H-1B and O-1 Visa Compliance.

 

RCUH is offering Export Compliance Training sessions for Principal Investigators and Supervisors.  The purpose of this training it to provide PIs and Supervisors with an understanding of U.S. export compliance regulations and how it may affect their foreign national employees.  Sessions will be conducted by UH Administrative & Export Compliance Office, Mr. Leonard R. Gouveia Jr. 

 

Goals of the Training:

ü  To be able to identify the purpose of U.S. Export Control Laws

ü  Define the meaning of “Export Controls”

ü  Overview of UH’s Export Compliance Policy

ü  Identify resources as UH which provide guidance to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws

ü  Help you understand your role in assisting with export compliance

ü  Possible consequences and penalties if you are not in compliance with ITAR/EAR regulations

ü  Examples of export control issues in a university setting

 

TRAINING SESSION SCHEDULE:

 

OAHU SESSIONS

Friday, February 3, 2012

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

UH Manoa Campus, Campus Center 308

 

Friday, February 17, 2012

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

JABSOM Kaka’ako Campus, TBA

 

Friday, March 2, 2012

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

UH Manoa Campus, Campus Center Dining 203B

 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

UH IFA Auditorium

 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

UH Manoa Campus, Campus Center 310

 

HILO SESSIONS

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

UH Hilo IFA Auditorium

 

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

UH Hilo IFA Auditorium

 

Please RSVP your attendance to Janet Zukemura at [email protected].  Please provide your name, title, program name, e-mail address, and which session you want to attend.  We also encourage you to include any export compliance questions or issues that you would like addressed at the session.

 

Meetings are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For more information or to request an accommodation due to your disability, contact (808) 956-0871 or email [email protected] at least one week prior to the meeting.

 

 

Payroll Deadline for the 12/16/11-12/31/11 Pay Period

TO:                 Principal Investigators and Project Administrators

SUBJ:             Payroll Deadline for the 12/16 – 12/31/11 pay period

Please note that the payroll deadline for the 12/16 – 12/31/11 pay period is:

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 12:00 noon

The HR AMP online timesheets will be available for input from 8:00 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 through 12:00 noon on Friday, December 30, 2011.

 Online timesheets will NOT be available for submission on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

The RCUH Payroll Office is operating as normal and will close only on Monday, January 2, 2012 for the New Year’s Day holiday.

Should you have any inquiries, please contact the RCUH Payroll staff at [email protected].

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

RCUH Payroll Staff

HR NEWSLETTER – The Resource 2011 OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEONTRAINING – RCUH EEO & Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Session (Oahu, Maui, Hilo, Kauai)

CIVIL UNIONS LAW – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012

As a reminder, on January 1, 2012, the Hawaii State Civil Unions Act (S.B. No 232; Act 1) will take effect and will make same and opposite sex couples eligible for civil unions in Hawaii.  Act 1 will give civil union couples legal rights to similar benefits received by married couples.  NOTE:  Federal law does not recognize civil unions; thus, benefits mandated by Federal laws will remain unchanged.

 

As defined under S.B. No. 232/Act 1, a “Civil Union” is a union between two individuals established pursuant to S.B. No. 232, and a “Partner” means an individual who is a party to a civil union established pursuant to S.B. No. 232. For more information regarding Act 1, please visit the www.hawaii.gov.

In compliance with Act 1, the RCUH will be updating its benefit policies on/by January 1, 2012.  

1.)  Policy #3.520 Health (Medical & Dental) Plans

2.)  Policy #3.660 Family Leave (Hawaii State-Tier 2 Only)

3.)  Policy #3.670 Bereavement Leave

4.)  Policy #3.678 Administrative Leave for Parent – Teacher Conference

 

For more information, please see the Current News Article previously posted on December 19, 2011. 

 

2012 MAXIMUM EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR 403(b) PLANS:

The maximum contribution limits (listed below) for those enrolled in a 403(b) Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) / Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA) plan will increase in the upcoming 2012 tax year: 

 

  • $17,000 for employees under Age 50 (previously $16,500 in tax year 2011)

 

  • $22,500 for employees Age 50 or older (previously $22,000 in tax year 2011)  

All eligible employees should have received an email from the RCUH informing them of the maximum contribution limits for the tax year 2012.  To Cancel/Change contribution amounts, please complete a RCUH Agreement For Salary Reduction (ASR) form and submit it by Wednesday, December 22, 2011 to be effective December 16, 2011 (1st pay period in the RCUH 2012 tax year).   As a reminder, changes to the TDA/SRA contributions may be changed at any time during the year with the submittal of a new ASR form. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Dayna Tsue at (808) 956-8953.

You are cordially invited to a luncheon to honor the nominees of the 2011 RCUH Outstanding Employee of the Year Awards on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.  The award luncheon will be held in the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Manoa Grand Ballroom.  Please join us in giving special recognition to the nominees who represent the many hard working employees of the RCUH.  Please share this information and invitation with all of your project staff.

 

Click here for a list of the 2011 Outstanding Employee of the Year Nominees.

 

If you would like to attend the luncheon please submit payment with the rsvp form by January 23, 2012.

 

Inquiries? Contact Linda Watanabe at [email protected] or 808-956-7055

 

Click here to rsvp form

RCUH will be conducting an EEO and Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Employees and Supervisors on Oahu, Maui, Hilo, and Kauai.  All RCUH employees are encouraged to attend. 

 

The purpose of this training is to provide RCUH employees and supervisors with an understanding of the RCUH EEO & Sexual Harassment Policy and the RCUH EEO Complaint/Investigation Process.  These policies apply to all employees and will provide you with a better understanding of what discrimination/sexual harassment is in the work place, how to prevent discrimination/sexual harassment from happening, and what RCUH’s policy is on discrimination/sexual harassment.  Knowing how to prevent occurrences of sexual harassment and discriminatory behavior is critical in today’s world.

 

Policies:

3.110 RCUH Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

3.120 RCUH Sexual Harassment

 

TRAINING SESSION DATES:

*Supervisors must attend the session for employees.  Employees will be dismissed and the Supervisor session will begin after a 5 minute break.

 

KAUAI

Friday, March 2, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

Kauai CC – Technology Room 114

RSVP by February 24, 2012

HILO

Friday, March 9, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

Institute for Astronomy (IFA) Auditorium

RSVP by March 2, 2012

 

MAUI

Friday, March 16, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

UH Maui College – Laulima 103

RSVP by March 9, 2012

 

OAHU

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

UH Manoa Campus, Kuykendall, Room 101 (Auditorium)

RSVP by March 6, 2012

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

JABSOM- Kakaako – Room TBA

651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

RSVP by March 20, 2012

 

RSVP your attendance to Moana at [email protected]. Please provide your name, title, program name, phone number, and e-mail address.

 

Training Material will be emailed to attendees prior to the session.

 

Meetings are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For more information or to request an accommodation due to your disability, contact (808) 956-3100 or email [email protected] at least one week prior to the session.

 

IMPORTANT Dates to Remember (January):

1/2

HOLIDAY – New Year’s Day

1/5-1/9

Web Time Preview 1

1/6

Pay Day

1/9

PAF Deadline

1/10

HRAMP Deadline

1/10-1/11

Web Time Preview 2

1/12-1/13

Web Time Input

1/16

HOLIDAY – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/17

Payroll Deadline – 12:00 noon for PE 1/15/12

1/20

Pay Day

1/23-1/25

Web Time Preview 1

1/25

PAF Deadline

1/26

HRAMP Deadline

1/26-1/27

Web Time Preview 2

1/30-1/31

Web Time Input

 

 

IMPORTANT Dates to Remember (February):

2/1

Payroll Deadline – 12:00 noon for PE 1/31/12

2/7

Pay Day

2/7-2/9

Web Time Preview 1

2/9

PAF Deadline

2/10

HRAMP Deadline

2/10-2/13

Web Time Preview 2

2/14-2/15

Web Time Input

2/16

Payroll Deadline– 12:00 noon for PE 2/15/12

2/20

HOLIDAY – President’s Day

2/21-2/23

Web Time Preview 1

2/22

Pay Day

2/23

PAF Deadline

2/24

HRAMP Deadline

2/24-2/27

Web Time Preview 2

2/28-2/29

Web Time Input

TIMESHEETS FOR THE MONTH OF December – January:
December 16-31

January 1-15

January 16-31

SSE Timesheet (Form D-9c)

2011 Personnel Action & Payroll Calendar

2011 Special Check Calendar

 

2012 Personnel Action & Payroll Calendar

2012 Special Check Calendar

 

The Principal Investigator’s Corner

 

 

STUDENT VERIFICATION

All RCUH Students Assistants employees are responsible for submitting a Student Verification each Semester in order to qualify for continued student employment. For all University of Hawaii students (eg: UH Manoa, UH Hilo, Honolulu Community College, Maui College, etc.), verification is not required, as RCUH has the ability to verify student status´ electronically through a UH database. However, verification is still needed for UH Outreach College and non-UH Schools (i.e. High School, Chaminade, HPU, etc).

 

The following are acceptable forms of student verification:

a) Student registration or receipt

b) Letter of student registration from the registrar or counselor

c) Validated student I.D. card

d) Any other form of verification deemed acceptable by the Director of Human Resources

 

Continuation of student employment:  Project/Student must submit a Student Verification for Spring 2012 semester by January 23, 2012.  Failure to submit student verification by the indicated deadline will result in termination of student employment.

 

Termination of student employment:  Student Assistants who no longer hold a student status must be terminated from RCUH due to their ineligibility (i.e. student graduation). Principal Investigators must initiate a termination action via the HRAMP system by December 22, 2011.

 

Please contact Sharon Vong at [email protected] or (808)956-7307 if you have any questions.

TRAINING – RCUH EEO & Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Session (Oahu, Maui, Hilo, Kauai)

RCUH will be conducting an EEO and Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Employees and Supervisors on Oahu, Maui, Hilo, and Kauai.  It is mandatory for all RCUH employees to attend. 

 

The purpose of this training is to provide RCUH employees and supervisors with an understanding of the RCUH EEO & Sexual Harassment Policy and the RCUH EEO Complaint/Investigation Process.  These policies apply to all employees and will provide you with a better understanding of what discrimination/sexual harassment is in the work place, how to prevent discrimination/sexual harassment from happening, and what RCUH’s policy is on discrimination/sexual harassment.  Knowing how to prevent occurrences of sexual harassment and discriminatory behavior is critical in today’s world.

 

Policies:

3.110 RCUH Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

3.120 RCUH Sexual Harassment

 

TRAINING SESSION DATES:

*Supervisors must attend session for employees.  Employees will be dismissed and Supervisor session will begin after a 5 minute break.

 

KAUAI

Friday, March 2, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

Kauai CC – Technology Room 114

RSVP by February 24, 2012

HILO

Friday, March 9, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

Institute for Astronomy (IFA) Auditorium

RSVP by March 2, 2012

 

MAUI

Friday, March 16, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

UH Maui College – Laulima 103

RSVP by March 9, 2012

 

OAHU

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

UH Manoa Campus, Kuykendall, Room 101 (Auditorium)

RSVP by March 6, 2012

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. (employees, supervisors)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (continue w/ supervisors only*)

JABSOM- Kakaako – Room TBA

651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

RSVP by March 20, 2012

 

 

RSVP your attendance to Moana at [email protected]. Please provide your name, title, program name, phone number, and e-mail address.

 

Training Material will be emailed to attendees prior to the session.

 

Meetings are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For more information or to request an accommodation due to your disability, contact (808) 956-3100 or email [email protected] at least one week prior to the session.

 

Civil Union Law – Adding Civil Union Partners to Health Benefit Plans

On January 1, 2012, the Hawaii State Civil Unions Law will take effect, allowing individuals to legally enter into civil union partnerships.  The law will provide individuals in civil unions with legal rights to similar benefits received by married couples. The RCUH will be updating policies affected by the change on/by January 1, 2012.

 

HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS:  With this change in law, employees will be able to cover their civil union partners and civil union partner’s dependents under their RCUH health plans (i.e., medical and/or dental plans).  The RCUH Health Benefits Plan Year is from July 1 through June 30.  Thus, similar to marriage, those entering in civil unions “mid-year” may request to enroll their civil union partner and/or civil union partner’s dependent(s), provided the appropriate documents/forms are submitted within 30 days following the effective date of the civil union (i.e., qualifying event).  Upon receipt of the documents/forms, the RCUH will enroll the employee’s civil union partner/child(ren), accordingly.  The following are procedures in enrolling your civil union partner and/or civil union partner’s children:

 

  1. COMPLETE Parts A, B, and G of the RCUH Group Benefits Enrollment/Change Application Form (Form B-5)

 

  1. ATTACH a copy of your Civil Union Certificate issued by the State of Hawaii-Department of Health

 

  1. (IF APPLICABLE)  Complete & Notarize the Affidavit of Dependency for Tax Purposes form only if your civil union partner qualifies as your dependent for tax purposes for your federal income tax withholding, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.  If not completed/submitted, we will conclude that your partner does not qualify as your dependent under the IRS, and premiums charged will be included as imputed income. 

 

  1. SUBMIT Form B-5 (required), Civil Union Certificate (required), and Affidavit of Dependency for Tax Purposes (optional) to the RCUH Human Resources Department at:

 

Mail:    2530 Dole Street, Sakamaki Hall D-100

            Honolulu, HI  96822

 

Fax:     (808) 956-5022

 

Email:  [email protected] 

 

RCUH forms will be available for downloaded from the RCUH 3.520 Health Plan Policy on the www.rcuh.com website.

 

           

Additional RCUH policies to be updated effective January 1, 2012:

 

  1. 3.660 RCUH Family Leave Policy – Under the Hawaii State Family Leave law, eligible employees are provided up to four (4) weeks of leave for the purposes of caring for a “Family Member” with a serious medical condition.  Family members will include employees’ civil union partners and their civil union partner’s children. 

 

  1. 3.670 RCUH Bereavement (Funeral) Leave Policy – Eligible employees are provided up to three (3) days of paid leave due to the loss of their “Immediate Family Members”.  Immediate family members will include civil union partners and civil union partner’s children/parents. 

 

  1. 3.678 RCUH Administrative Leave for Parent-Teacher Conference – Eligible employees are provided up to two (2) hours of paid leave for the purposes of attending their child’s parent-teacher conference.  “Child” will include the employee’s civil union partner’s children. 

 

If you have any questions regarding the changes in benefits, please contact Jill Niitani, Senior Human Resources/Employee Benefits & Systems Manager at (808) 956-8376 or [email protected].

RCUH Timesheet for December 16-31 pay period

In order to minimize searching for the RCUH timesheets each pay period, we will have the current RCUH timesheet available in the Current News section of the RCUH website on the first working day of each pay period.

 

Click Here for the December 16-31 Timesheet

 

Payroll Deadline is December 30, 2011, 12noon

Payday for this timesheet is January 6, 2012

 

Next Announcement:  December 30 (January 1-15 pay period).