E. Q.
November 2021
Congratulations AND THANK YOU to these Outstanding Education Support Professionals!
- Keith Williams - Tutor Advisor, Palmer High School
- Miguel Velez Moreno - IT Specialist, Mat-Su Central
- Marilyn Frantzich - Server Cashier, Colony Middle School
- Laura Kelly - Special Education Assistant, Shaw Elementary
- Taig Hoeger - Warehouse Inventory Technician, Warehouse
- Sandra Havard - Special Education Assistant, Swanson Elementary
- Shane Cobb - IT Support Specialist, IT
- Sheila Bailey - Server Cashier, Colony High School
- Shelly McGinn - Special Education Assistant, Butte Elementary
- Keri Crawford - Special Education Assistant, Machetanz Elementary
- Erin Dwyer - Personnel Support Specialist, Human Resources
- Joanne Cassidy - Custodian, Su-Valley High School
- Nimfa Wadleigh - Special Education Assistant, Mat-Su Day School
- Brandi Cooley - Charter School Assistant, Birchtree Charter School
Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all of the Education Support Professionals for the hard work they do for our district
DATES TO REMEMBER
DECEMBER PAYROLL REMINDER
To account for the holidays, the December paycheck dates are different than the regular deposit schedule for the rest of the year. The first paycheck issued in December will be deposited into your account on Tuesday, December 14th. The paycheck that would normally be deposited on December 31st will, instead, be deposited on Wednesday, December 15th. The next scheduled deposit will take place on Friday, January 14th.
Also, all leave taken in December will be reflected on your January 14th paycheck.
RETIREMENT NOTIFICATION DEADLINE
2021 TAX FORMS
The IRS requires that Form W-2 and Form 1095C be provided or mailed to employees no later than January 31st each year. If you have elected to receive these forms via email, you will most likely receive them earlier. You can update your Form W-2 and Form 1095C delivery methods through Munis Self Serve. Click here to visit the Knowledge Base for instructions on how to update your delivery method.
6th Annual Employee Benefit Fair
Open Enrollment is available through Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 5 p.m. Alaska Time.
Providing employees choice in benefits means that each year during Open Enrollment, you need to review your benefit elections to make sure they are still the best fit for your and your family’s needs. The Open Enrollment period for the 2022 plan year (January – December 2022) Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Employees that currently contribute to SBS are eligible for enrollment in these benefits.
Take the time to understand your options and learn about the Voluntary Supplement Benefits (VSB) administered by MetLife by visiting http://www.metlife.com/stateofalaska. The site will provide you with answers on how to file a claim, along with detailed plan summaries on each benefit offered to you. If you have questions about your VSB options, please contact MetLife at (800) 438-6388.
For more information on offered benefits, you can visit the Division of Retirement and Benefits Voluntary Benefits at http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/benefits/employee/openEnrollment/2021/vsb-benefits.html.
To enroll, visit https://secure3-enroll.com/go/soa. If you have questions about enrolling in the voluntary benefits, contact State of Alaska Voluntary Benefits Support (Benefitfocus) at (844) 939-0543.
THANK YOU MSBSD SUBSTITUTES!
MSBSD substitutes are an integral part of the district workforce and we want to thank you for your hard work and dedication this school year. Your continued support and commitment to MSBSD has allowed us to keep students in school this year!
As a reminder, the Frontline website has always been a great place to manage your preferences and search for available jobs. It's even more convenient now with the mobile Frontline Education app. Below are instructions to get you started.
Access the app store on your mobile device and download the Frontline Education app. Once the download is complete, you will click Get Started to proceed to a sign in page. From there, select "Or Sign In with Organization SSO" and click Sign In. Next, enter your District email address to look up the MSBSD sign in page. The last step is to enter your active directory credentials (ab012345) and your password. If you have any issues signing in to the app, please contact HR at HR@matsuk12.us. You can view more detailed instructions by clicking here.
Considering Retirement
If you are starting to think about retirement, below is some helpful information directly from the Division of Retirement and Benefits regarding the process and some additional considerations.
Application Process
• Request a projection of benefits two years prior to your estimated retirement date.
• Request a retirement packet a minimum of 120 days in advance of your estimated retirement date.
• Submit completed application prior to retirement date (preferably 60 days prior).
• Health insurance is reported to the carrier in the month prior to your appointment/retirement date.
• Receipt of Application letter is sent.
· If your application is complete, no further communication is needed until the appointment letter.
• Final salary and termination date are requested from employer.
• Retirement benefits are calculated after termination date and the final salary is received.
• If you have ever been divorced during your service:
· You must submit a court-certified copy of your divorce decree and property settlement.
· Retirement benefits cannot be processed without this information.
Timing of Benefits
• Retirement benefits are effective the first day of the month following termination from employment and receipt of retirement application.
• Retirement benefits are paid once per month, at the end of the month.
• Plan for the first benefit check to come six weeks after your retirement effective date.
• Plan for electronic deposits to begin 60 days after your retirement effective date.
• Plan for health eligibility to be reported timely if you have applied at least six weeks in advance.
Points to Consider
• If buying a house after retirement, retirement income cannot be verified until after benefit has been calculated. This could be up to six weeks after your effective date.
• Claiming service at time of retirement may delay your retirement.
• When paying an indebtedness with pre-tax transfer, request paperwork at least eight weeks prior to retirement date.
Below are links to documents you may want to reference.
You can find more valuable resources pertinent to your retirement on the State of Alaska website: http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/trs/employee/resources/retirementApplication.html#.WjloWE11rFr
Mat-Su School District HR/Payroll Facebook Page
YEAR END REMINDERS
Entering Leave for the Winter Break
HEALTH INSURANCE REMINDER
Keep in mind that your health insurance deductible requirement starts over with the new calendar year. This is a great opportunity to use your pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions if you currently have an account. If you have questions about which health plan you are on or what your deductible is, please feel free to contact the Payroll Department at 761-HELP (4357) option 4.
Updating your W-4 for 2022
Any necessary Form W-4 changes due to life events such as changes in your job, marital status, or dependents can be updated through Munis Self Serve. If you would like to make a change effective the first payroll in 2022, you must submit your information before January 10th. Click here to visit the Knowledge Base for instructions.