Where do I pick up my paycheck?
- Paychecks are typically mailed. If you would like to pick-up your paycheck, contact your Departmental Payroll Representative to arrange to pick up your paycheck. Direct Deposit is also available.
When is my next payday?
- You can check the Payroll Schedule to find out when paychecks are available.
Understanding your Payroll deductions
- An employee’s payslip itemizes all earnings, statutory taxes, and voluntary pre-tax and post-tax deductions, including both employee and employer contributions. Information is provided for the current pay period as well as calendar year-to-date totals.
- If you have questions on any mandatory or voluntary deduction items contact your departmental payroll representative.
| STATUTORY TAXES | |
| OASDI | Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) – Old Age Survivor Disability Insurance tax for Social Security. (Not deducted from student wage based on enrollment status). This is a flat percentage based on taxable income with a taxable maximum that resets each year based on Social Security Administration guidelines. FICA-OASDI calendar year limits are employer specific and do not carryover from prior employers. |
| Medicare | Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) – Medicare. (Not deducted from student wages based on enrollment status). This is a flat percentage based on taxable income. |
| Additional Medicare Tax | Additional Medicare Tax applied to wages paid in excess of the annual threshold set by Social Security Administration |
| Federal Income Tax | Withholding tax based on the most recent Federal tax elections submitted on Form W-4 in Workday. Amount withheld varies depending on taxable income, marital status and number of dependents claimed. Taxable wages include CWSP and student wages unless protected by a tax treaty in the case of Nonresident Aliens. Near the bottom of the payslip, in the ‘Withholding’ box, employees will see Federal tax elections that were applied to the pay result displayed on the payslip. |
| State Income Tax | Withholding tax based on the most recent state tax elections submitted on CA form DE-4, or applicable form if working outside of CA. All wages are subject to state income taxes based on state regulations in the employee’s work state. Amount withheld varies depending on taxable income, marital status and number of allowances claimed. Taxable wages include CWSP, student wages, and NRA wages. Near the bottom of the payslip, in the ‘Withholding’ box, employees will see Work State tax elections that were applied to the pay result displayed on the payslip. |
| PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS PRE-TAX and POST-TAX | |
| State Disability | State Disability is withheld unless USC Voluntary Disability has been elected. (Deducted from student wages based on enrollment status.) Direct questions to the Disability Office, 213-740-5875. |
| USC Voluntary Disability | USC Voluntary Disability is a private plan offered to replace state disability, and must be elected. Direct questions to USC Disability Management, 213-740-5875. |
| USC Supplemental Disability | An optional plan available only to participants of the USC Voluntary Disability plan which provides additional disability coverage. Direct questions to USC Disability Management, 213-740-5875. |
| Insurance: Medical, Dental & Vision | Employee contribution to the health insurance plans that an employee signed up for; USC Network, Kaiser, Delta Dental, VSP, etc. |
| Retirement: Match Contribution | Employee pre-tax or Roth (post-tax) retirement contribution of up to 5% of eligible earnings. Investment providers include: Fidelity, TIAA and Vanguard. |
| Retirement: Supplemental Contribution | Employees may elect to have a Supplemental retirement contribution withheld; this is an optional, non-matched contribution to a retirement plan. |
| Other Insurance Options: Accident, Life, etc. | Contributions to optional insurance plans Elected during Open Enrollment such as MetLife. |
| Parking, Carpool, Metrolink, MTA/LADOT | Transportation fees and taxes. Direct questions to Transportation Services, 213-740-3575. |
| USCard | Deductions based on an employee’s USCard usage. Direct questions to USCard Services, 213-740-2044. |
What do I do about a lost or damaged check?
- Download and print out a Stop Payment Form or obtain it from your departmental payroll representative or USC Payroll Services.
- Fill out the form with the lost or damaged check information. Your departmental payroll representative can assist in providing the necessary details.
- Return the completed form to your departmental payroll representative and they will submit it for processing to USC Payroll Services.
- A Stop Payment will be placed on the check and a replacement check will be issued if the stop payment is successful. Please notify your departmental payroll representative if you would like to pick-up the replacement check. Otherwise, it will be reissued and mailed (or direct deposited if applicable).
- If the original check is found later, do not attempt to cash or deposit it. Return the original check to your departmental payroll representative.
- You will be notified if the stop payment was unsuccessful because the check had already been cashed.