Financial

SHARE Updates: Make the Most of Your Raise, Career Pathways, and More!

Raises came at the beginning of October, and now that we’re in the Open Enrollment period, it’s a good time to be thinking about your own financial and retirement planning. Below you can find directions on how to check your raise and ways to make your money go further.


Former SHARE union co-president and CT Tech Jay Hagan provided brilliant patient care at UMass Memorial for several decades. And now he’s now making the most of the SHARE retirement benefits!

UMass Memorial Legal Services

In addition to investing in your future self by upping your contribution to your 401k, you might consider using the UMass Memorial Legal Assistance Plan to prepare for the future.

Former SHARE Union President Jay Hagan used those services before his own retirement, and had good things to say about it. “Before, I called a financial advisor, and was told that the services I wanted would cost me three or four thousand dollars. So, instead, I got set up with the Legal Assistance Plan for one year, and saved a lot.

“I called MetLaw and they provided me a list of local lawyers to choose from. I met with one a couple of times . . . he was friendly and competent. There are additional expenses that you have to pay to Massachusetts for things like recording fees, but all of the legal bills get directly to MetLaw. If someone dies, it’s bad enough to grieve, and I don’t want my wife or me to have worry about all this then. I’m so glad I’ve got my will and everything taken care of.”


Could a Health Care Flexible Spending Account Work for You?


UnionPlus Benefits for SHARE Members

If you’re signed up for SHARE, you’re also eligible for the perks, discounts, and low-cost programs for union members through the nationwide UnionPlus program, which also includes financial services such as personal loans, student debt help, credit card debt settlement, and more.


How to Check Your Raise

The recent raise became effective 9/29/24, and was reflected in the first paycheck after that date.

Your raise was 4.5% of your old hourly rate, or $1.00 per hour, whichever amount was larger.

For more information about the structure of the raise, and how to calculate your own, and what happens if your pay has reached the Max Cap, check out this page about raises.

Many more of the most common questions are answered in this FAQ from the last contract agreement. This raise is the third of four annual raises negotiated for this contract period.

You can confirm that your raise was processed in Workday. Just log in and go to your profile, then select “Compensation” (see example image below from the Workday app.)

If you have questions or concerns about your raise, please contact the SHARE Organizer for your area. You can also call SHARE at 508-929-4020 or email share.comment@theshareunion.org.

You will see your Pay Raise reflected in the “Compensation” section of Workday, as well as in your “Pay Change History”


Do You Know Someone Who Would Like to Become a CT Technologist?

W-4 Update: Make Changes Now to Right-Size Your Tax Withholdings

In case you missed it, the following announcement was sent to all UMass Memorial employees. Additional information can be found online at the Internal Revenue Service website. Note the May 31 deadline if you would like to make changes to your withholdings.

What’s The Short Version?

If you haven’t made changes since the 2020 tax law changes, your filing status will default to single in January. If you are not single, that means you are telling the employer to withhold higher taxes from your paycheck. (Note: you get to tell the employer how much to withhold - the single/married/kids status is a guideline for your benefit. If you withhold too little, you get whacked at tax time, and could owe fines for underpayment. If you withhold too much, you get a rebate at tax time.)

None of this means you would owe more taxes - the government would withhold more taxes and you would get some of that back when you filed the next year.  If people who are not single want to keep having taxes withheld the way that are now, they should update their W-4. Read on for the employer’s announcement . . .


TO:                  Impacted UMass Memorial Health Caregivers

FROM:            Jennifer Morrison, Director, Payroll Services, UMass Memorial Health

DATE:             April 3, 2023

SUBJECT:      Take Action by May 31 to Ensure Accuracy of Tax Withholding for Your Pay

 

UMass Memorial Health is evolving and updating our people-related information systems.

 

What You Need to Know

  • Due to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) update, we need you to take action and update/re-enter your tax withholding information.

  • No action could cause more taxes being withheld from your pay beginning in January 2024 compared to what is currently withheld.

  • Note: This applies only to caregivers who submitted a W-4 form prior to 2020. If you completed a W-4 form in 2020 or thereafter, no action is required.

 

What You Need to Do

  • Between now and May 31, 2023, it is essential that you complete a new W-4 form in HRConnect – even if there are no changes.

  • If no action is taken, your tax withholding status will default to “single” in January, with zero deductions.

    • If this withholding status is not what you normally elect, it could result in a different tax withholding for your pay beginning in January 2024 compared to what is currently withheld.

  • Follow these steps:

    • From a device connected to the UMMHC Network(either through FMD/VPN (Big IP) or onsite): Visit HRConnect > My Payroll > Update My Tax Info

    • When completing the form, please reference this job aid if you need assistance.

  • The IRS offers resources to help you determine the amount of federal income tax to withhold from your pay.

 

Questions

If you have questions, contact the Payroll Office at payrollummhc@umassmemorial.org. Please note that Payroll is not able to give tax advice. If you have any questions on how to complete this form, please reach out to your tax professional.