Beginning in July 2021, all UW System employees who are paid monthly—including UW–Madison employees—will be moved to a biweekly pay schedule. For these employees, most deductions for benefits such as health, dental, vision and life insurance will be split evenly over the first two biweekly paychecks each month beginning in August.
The term “Single Payroll” refers to the fact that this change standardizes the payroll schedule for all UW System employees.
Overview: Understanding Single Payroll
Quick Facts for Employees about Single Payroll (PDF)
Video: UW–Madison Transition to Biweekly Pay (11 min.)
Presentation with Q&A: Single Payroll Basics (33 min.)
Transitioning to a Biweekly Payroll Schedule
The transition to Single Payroll begins in July. Employees are encouraged to review the transition timeline and understand how this will impact their paycheck amounts and payroll schedule.
Pay schedules and paycheck amounts
2021 Pay Schedule
This schedule shows pay periods, pay dates, and deductions taken from each paycheck. Note that beginning July 18, 2021, all employees are on the same biweekly payroll schedule.
2022 Biweekly Pay Schedule
This schedule show pay periods and pay dates for 2022. Note that three months include a third paycheck (the “C” paycheck): January, July, and December.
Paycheck Estimator
This tool is a downloadable Excel spreadsheet. You can use the Paycheck Estimator to help you with the personal financial planning associated with the change from a monthly to a biweekly payroll schedule.
Pay Date Model for employees with 12-month contracts
Pay Date Model for employees with 9-month contracts
The Pay Date Model displays your gross earnings by pay date. Simply enter your annual salary in the highlighted box in this Excel spreadsheet. (Your gross earnings are your total earnings before taxes and other deductions are taken out.)
Resources to prepare for the transition
Preparing for Biweekly Pay: A checklist for UW–Madison employees paid over 12 months
Preparing for Biweekly Pay: A checklist for UW–Madison employees paid over 9 months
Updating Direct Deposit, Contribution or Withholding of Flat Dollar Amounts
Learning Series: The Switch to Biweekly Pay
The UW–Madison Division of Extension offers the following resources to help employees prepare for the switch to a biweekly payroll schedule.
Town Hall Meetings
UW System hosted a series of Town Hall meetings in order to explain the new payroll schedule, describe how benefits deductions will be made, and answer questions from employees. These events have been recorded and are available for viewing on demand, with closed captioning provided. Copies of the slides from each presentation are also available.
Links to selected Town Halls are provided below.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources:
608-265-2257
2021payrollchanges@ohr.wisc.edu
Language assistance is available from Cultural Linguistic Services.
Español, Hmoob, བོད་ཡིག, 中文, नेपाली
Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan, Chinese, Nepali
Information for employees with an interest-free employee loan
The application period for the Payroll Transition Employee Loan ended August 15, 2021. Employees who have arranged for a short-term, interest-free loan from UW–Madison can find information regarding loan terms and repayment online.
Maintaining financial and emotional well-being
The Employee Assistance Office (EAO) offers resources to help maintain well-being during times of transition. If you are experiencing financial stress, EAO can be a helpful resource. Confidential counseling for employees and their families is available through EAO and is offered 24/7 through LifeMatters.
May 4, 2021
8–9 am
Information for employees with 9-month contracts
Town Hall video
Town Hall slides
May 17, 2021
1–2 pm
Open session for all employees paid monthly
Town Hall video
Town Hall slides
Financial Resources
Spending and Saving Plan Workshops
In this online workshop, you will learn how to create a spending and saving plan that works for you. You will get answers to your questions about managing personal and family finances, including at times of transition. This session will also provide options to consider if you will face a temporary budget shortfall due to a payroll change.
The workshop is offered at no cost by UW Credit Union. Registration is required and can be done up until the workshop starts.
- Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 9 am
- Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 5 pm
- Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 12 noon
- Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 8 am
- Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 5 pm
Articles and Videos
The Division of Extension at UW–Madison offers a variety of financial education resources to help individuals and families keep pace with day-to-day expenses, reach financial goals, adjust to financial changes, and secure their financial future.
See the Division of Extension YouTube channel for brief, informative videos on a wide range of personal financial topics, including the following:
- Tips for Your Financial Resolutions (4:04)
- Creating a Spending Plan (4:11)
- Tips for Tracking Spending (4:33)
- Spending Strategies (3:32)
- Money and Relationships (4:07)
- Plan How to Use Your Tax Refund (6:52)