There are limit restrictions in Workday that prohibit an employee from contributing more than the IRS Maximum (2021 - $19,500 + $6,500 catch-up if age 50 or over). If you reached the maximum allowed, your contributions will be capped until the new year.

You can update your 403(b) Supplemental Contribution election on NetBenefits or by calling the Retirement Service Center at 800-343-0860 up until December 10, 2021 for Plan year 2021. There is a blackout period for contribution election changes from 12/10/2021 -12/31/2021.

In 2022 the IRS contribution limit increases. You can contribute up to $20,500 to your 403(b) retirement savings account. If you're 50 or older, you're eligible to contribute an additional $6,500 for a total of $27,000.

With one-stop convenience, Fidelity Investments supports the enrollment process and provides ongoing service to retirement plan participants. – regardless of whether you invest with Fidelity or TIAA – via the university’s NetBenefits Retirement Planning website.

You may update your pre-tax deferred contribution elections on NetBenefits or by calling the Retirement Service Center at 800-343-0860.

The 403(b) website user guide takes you through the process screen by screen.

LATTE, the university learning management system, will undergo a system update on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The system will be unavailable during this time. The team is evaluating system enhancements and new features that may be applied during the upgrade - more information to share in the next InBrief. For more information about the upgrade, please email help@brandeis.edu.

Monique Howell, Asst. Director of Financial Aid and Admission for GSAS, was awarded the MASFAA Presidential Award at the conference she was tri-chairing last month. MASFAA is the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the award is to recognize outstanding service and dedication to MASFAA.

Review your current and future benefit elections in Workday (login req.). Benefits App>scroll to bottom of page View> Benefit Elections as of Date

Highlights for 2022 Open Enrollment. Changes are not allowed until the next open enrollment period November 2022 unless you have a qualifying life event. For qualifying life events you have up to 31 days after the event to enroll. Coverage is retroactive to the event date and documentation is required.

Faculty Workshops - Open to all members of the teaching community.

• LATTE Drop-In Hour: Grading & Exporting Grades, Fri., Dec. 3, 10-11 a.m.
• Dive into Backup & Restore, Thur., Dec. 9, 10-11 a.m.
• LATTE Drop-In Hour: Course Page Design, Fri., Dec. 10, 10-11 a.m.
• LATTE Drop-In Hour: Course Page Design, Fri., Dec. 17, 10-11 a.m.

Archives & Special Collections

• The Beginnings of Brandeis: a History in Pictures, Mon., Dec. 6, 10-10:30 a.m.
• Teaching with Archives, Fri., Dec. 10, 3-3:30 p.m.

Research Technology & Innovation

• Digital Scholarship Lab Access Orientation, Weekly, Wed., 9-9:45 a.m.
• Introduction to Arduino Electronics Workshop, Tues., Dec. 7, 2:30-4 p.m.
• Using the Jamboard software for Teaching, Wed., Dec. 8, 10-10:30 a.m.
• Brandeis MakerLab, Automation Lab and Digital Scholarship Lab Tour! Thur., Dec. 9, 9-10 a.m.
• Using the Jamboard software for Teaching, Wed., Dec. 15, 10-10:30 a.m.
• Brandeis MakerLab, Automation Lab and Digital Scholarship Lab Tour! Thur., Dec. 16, 9-10 a.m.

Students and families should have received the spring 2022 bill electronically via Nelnet earlier this week. The due date is December 15, 2021. Students should access the Nelnet Student Account Portal, using the link provided in their Student Account worklet in Workday, to view e-bills and account transactions, make payments and manage monthly payment plans.

If students have not already done so, please complete the following steps to ensure account access:

1. Set-up Nelnet account - Students should log in to the Nelnet Student Account Portal to set up their student profile. Refer to the Nelnet - Account Access job aid for detailed instructions.
2. Add parent or authorized parties access - Students who would like parents, sponsors, or other third parties, to view their student account and make payments will need to set these individuals up as Authorized Parties in Nelnet. Refer to the Nelnet – Manage Payers job aid for detailed instructions.  Students should not share their Nelnet log-in credentials with their parents. They must set up parents as Authorized Parties with their own log-in credentials.

The Payroll Office has issued the annual memo regarding important calendar year-end paycheck and tax information for 2021. This includes requests for duplicate W-2 forms and changes in tax filing status.

The memo is available on the Payroll website, under Payroll Year-end Memo 2021. If you have any questions, please email payroll at payroll@brandeis.edu.

Effective Dec. 1, all Workday-related support inquiries should be directed to help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4357. The Workday@Brandeis team and Technology Help Desk will continue to collaborate on issue resolution to ensure timely response and service. Please visit the Workday@Brandeis website to view the full library of resources for HR/Finance and Student including job aids, instructional videos, and FAQs.

The financial aid renewal application deadline for the 2022-2023 academic year will be March 1, 2022. Students receiving need-based scholarship funds must submit the 2022-2023 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and copies of 2020 student and parent Federal Income Tax Returns. Students who wish to apply only for federal sources of financial aid need only complete the FAFSA (taxes will be requested upon receipt of this application only if necessary). An e-mail detailing the renewal process will be sent to students and parents during the intersession.