Your UC Paycheck Explained

Don’t let your check be a mystery! Read on...

Have you ever taken a look at your paycheck stub and wondered what it all means? Take a look at these common check stub items and their descriptions to make sure you fully understand your pay and deductions:

• First: the top of your check stub has a wealth of information about you and your UC job. The UCPath Center generates UCSB paychecks, and you’ll see their address and phone number listed at the top of your check stub. You should also see: your name, address, employee ID number, department, location, job title, pay rate, campus, pay period dates, and your Federal and State tax withholding information. You may also see Advice # and date ─ this is the direct deposit confirmation number and date of deposit.

• The Hours and Earnings section shows the hours you worked (including overtime if applicable) and the leave taken in each pay period, along with the dollar value of each. Bi-weekly paid employees will see this in weekly increments (by each Sunday through Saturday work week). This section will show both the current earnings and Year to Date (YTD) earnings. Please note: employees paid monthly will see the leave taken in the previous month – not the leave taken in the month for which you are being paid. Monthly employees will also see a second line with a negative amount of “regular” hours and earnings for any leave taken. There is no reduction in pay for leave used, this just reflects the delay in the way leave taken is reported for monthly paid employees.

• The Taxes section will show your Current and Year to Date (YTD) deductions for Federal and State taxes. In this section you will also see deductions used to fund US retiree programs often referred to as FICA deductions. FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FICA deductions include Social Security and Medicare. Career employees will see Fed OASDI/EE (Social Security) and Fed MED/EE (Medicare) deductions on each check.  

• The Before Taxes section shows all deductions that are eligible to be taken from your paycheck before taxes are calculated. Common deductions include Health Insurance premiums, UC Retirement Plan contributions, 403(b)/457(b) Voluntary Retirement plan contributions, Parking, and Flexible Spending (FSA) account deductions.

• The After Taxes section shows all deductions that come from your check after taxes are calculated. Common deductions include Union Dues, Short/Long Term Disability, Supplemental/Expanded Life Insurance, Legal Insurance, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D).

• The Employer Paid Benefits section shows the amount the UC pays on your behalf for health and welfare benefits and retirement, both current and YTD.

• Lastly, the bottom of your check shows the current and YTD gross and net earnings, along with the total taxes and total deductions. Gross earnings are earnings before taxes and deductions ─ net pay is earnings paid after taxes and deductions. 

This overview may not cover everything that can be displayed on a pay stub. Also, please note that student and limited appointment employees will see different deductions. We recommend that you check your paycheck stub each pay period to ensure accuracy. If you have any questions please check with your department’s payroll contact, or reach out to the UCPath Center online or at 855-982-7284.