What's New

• Performance Development Program Testimonials

  We are excited for another year of the Performance Development program and would like to welcome all new and returning participants. Some of your colleagues recently took some time to share their thoughts about the value of the program. Watch the video to hear what they had to say.

• New 2020 Federal W-4 Form and Tax Withholding Tables
  
  Please be advised that effective January 1, 2020, a new federal W-4 form (Employee’s Withholding Certificate) has been issued.
  
  Reason for these changes:
  The federal W-4 form was redesigned to better reflect the changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
  
  What this means for state employees:
  Current employees are not required to submit a new federal W-4 form unless they want to amend their form currently on file.
  
  It is important to note that the 2021 federal income tax withholding tables might change the amount of federal income tax withheld from your paycheck. If you elect not to file a new W-4 form, your withholding might be higher or lower than you intend.
  
  If you want to make any changes to your withholdings, you must submit both a federal W-4 form and a 2021 State of Rhode Island W-4 form to your Division of Human Resources’ Talent Management representative. The new federal form can no longer be used for State withholding purposes.
  
  If you have any questions, please contact Carol Lincoln, Associate Controller – Payroll, at carol.lincoln@doa.ri.gov or 401-222-2274.
  
  Available resources:
  While the Division of Human Resources or the Office of Accounts and Control cannot provide assistance on how the changes to the federal tax code will impact their paychecks or how to complete the federal or state W-4 forms, the following are IRS links contain helpful information:
  
  Tax Withholding Estimator
  
  Frequently Asked Questions on the 2020 W-4 form
  
  It is also recommended that employees consider consulting a tax professional for guidance.
  
  
• Open Enrollment and Co-share Rates
  
  You will see different health plan co-share rates in 2020, as annual rate increases of 0.2% for medical/prescription, 6.7% for dental, and 5.7% for vision now apply.
  
  You may also see new premium deductions for life insurance and/or legal coverage if you added/changed your coverage during the Open Enrollment period this past fall. You can review plan rates and employee co-shares and premiums at the Office of Employee Benefits website.
  
  Employees who completed Rewards for Wellness 2019-2020 activities and are enrolled in State medical coverage for 2020 will begin having incentive credits delivered in their January 24 paychecks.
  
  
• The mission of the Learning and Development Office is to create continual learning and improvement to promote professional development opportunities for State employees that enhance capacity, maximize efficiency and to support organizational goals. For more information about the Learning and Development Office and it’s programs, click here.
• March 2019 – Please take note of the revised policy regarding Personal Use of State-Issued Communication Devises. To review the policy, click here.
• The Office of Employee Benefits has announced the 2020-2021 Rewards for Wellness Program, where eligible employees can earn up to $500 in co-share incentive credits for participating in wellness programs and screenings.  For more information, go to their website or click here.
• Need an explanation of the boxes on your W2 form? For a detailed explanation of what each box reports, click here.
• Paystub RI is a web-based tool for State employees enrolled in direct deposit to securely access their payroll information on the Internet. Visit www.paystubri.ri.gov for more information. To register for access, you will need your unique employee ID number. If you need assistance, please contact your agency's payroll office or email doa.acctcontrol@doa.ri.gov. A detailed guide to using Paystub RI, as well as previously communicated notices are available by clicking here.
• RI General Law 35-6-1 requires direct deposit for all employees. The law requires that all employees identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee and participate in direct deposit.
• The current accrual year will end on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Under most current labor contracts and personnel policies, employees at the end of the accrual year may carry over to the next year up to two years of previously accrued vacation. Any vacation accruals over two years are deemed excess; employees must discharge all excess vacation accruals on or before Saturday, December 18, 2021. As of that date, any unused excess vacation accruals will be forfeited. No extension will be granted to discharge unused excess vacation accruals.
  
  Upfront vacation days will be credited to employees on January 1, 2022.
  
  For those retiring/resigning:  In order to qualify for payment for the "current" vacation leave accrual for calendar year 2019 ending Saturday, December 18, 2021, the retiring employee's effective date of retirement must be on or before Saturday, December 18, 2021.
  
  Personal Leave must be discharged on or before December 31, 2021 unless modified by union contract.

Based on your years of service, your allowable carryover is:

Years of Service	35/NS Hr. Work Week	40 Hr. Work Week
0-5 Years	140 Hours	160 Hours
5-10 Years	210 Hours	240 Hours
10-15 Years	252 Hours	288 Hours
15-20 Years	280 Hours	320 Hours
20-25 Years	364 Hours	416 Hours
25+ Years	392 Hours	448 Hours

• New Employees: Your State of Rhode Island 401(a) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, also know as the Rhode to Retirement program, is managed by TIAA-CREF. Once hired, employees are automatically enrolled in a new TIAA-CREF account and will receive a Welcome Kit. Beginning with your first paycheck, a percentage of your compensation, along with your employer’s contribution, will be contributed to your TIAA-CREF investment account.
• Active Employees: You should have received several important mailings from TIAA-CREF including a Transition Guide and Welcome Kit confirming the enrollment in your new Rhode to Retirement defined contribution plan. If you have not received these mailings, it may be because your address with the Retirement System is incorrect or out-of-date. Please contact TIAA-CREF immediately at 1-800-897-1026 to update your address and these important documents will be promptly mailed to your correct address.
• The Department of Administration Division of Information Technology has a Policy on Social Networking. This policy establishes guidelines for State agencies, departments, vendors, employees and any individuals with access rights to the State's networks regarding the use of Web 2.0 Social Networking sites, including, but not limited to, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedln and Blogger.