As part of a move towards payroll deduction automation with the State of Illinois, NIU will be implementing a change to optional life deductions and life insurance imputed income. This change is being implemented to align with the State of Illinois’ tax classification for these deductions. The amount of insurance premium for this coverage is not changing.
Specifically, effective January 1, 2021, all optional life insurance deductions will be deducted on an after-tax basis. Additionally, life insurance imputed income will only be calculated on basic life insurance. Prior to this change, optional life insurance deductions could be both before and after tax for employees with base salaries of $50,000 or less. Life insurance imputed income was calculated on both basic and optional life insurance. Human Resource Services records indicate that you are currently enrolled in optional life insurance through the State of Illinois. If you are affected by this change, you will first see the change to your paycheck that is deposited on January 15, 2021.
Four years ago, the State of Illinois contracted with Morneau Shepell to introduce a web-based benefits enrollment platform. The MyBenefits website was designed specifically for members to streamline their benefit options into a one-stop shop for all of their benefit needs.
The implementation of the State’s web-based system has also allowed for more automation on the administration end of the benefit program. NIU is currently working towards implementing additional automation in the processing of insurance payroll deductions from information the State of Illinois is providing from the online benefits enrollment platform.
Employees with questions regarding this email can contact one of our NIU Benefit Counselors at the contact information below:
- Employees with last names beginning A – L – Maya Wilk-Siuba (maya@niu.edu)
• Employees with last names beginning M – Z – Renee’ Bechtel (rbechtel@niu.edu)
Thank you for you service to the NIU community.
