The university implemented a new staff leave program, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Employee’s existing vacation accruals (from the previous staff leave program) will be treated as outlined below. See details on how sick and personal accruals transitioned on the Leave Program Changes webpage.
Three-Year Plan
On Jan. 1, 2024, all employees with accrued vacation time will see their existing balance banked and then converted to PTO or paid out, depending on their balance. The first 10 days (80 hours) is converted to PTO. Balances above the 80 hour threshold are paid out in 80-hour increments through 2026.
| Vacation Balance at Transition | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-80 hours (0-10 days)* |
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| 81-240 hours (11-30 days)* |
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| 241-352 hours (31-44 days)* |
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*Hours will be prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE. Payout follows employees rate of pay at the time hours are paid out.
Example: 104 hours (13 days) accrued vacation
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
|
Balance fully converted/paid out; no action taken | Balance fully paid out; no action taken |
* Payout follows employees rate of pay at the time hours are paid out. Hours prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE.
Example: 208 hours (26 days) accrued vacation
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Balance fully converted/paid out; no action taken |
* Payout follows employees rate of pay at the time hours are paid out. Hours prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE.
Example: 352 hours (44 days) accrued vacation
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
* Payout follows employees rate of pay at the time hours are paid out. Hours prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE.
Banked Time
Vacation balances awaiting payout will be available for use. For example, an employee desiring a payout may use PTO before accrued vacation in order to save their accrued vacation for a larger payout. An employee desiring the time off may use accrued vacation before PTO allowing their PTO balance to increase.
Banked vacation time will be viewable in myHR or Kronos and listed separately from PTO. You may review current leave balances in under "My Time" > "Leave/Comp Time." See the (PDF, pg. 9) for step-by-step instructions. MU Health Care employees can .
Payout Process
- Issuing checks: Vacation payouts will take place each year as a single off-cycle check in February/March. Checks will be calculated using the employee's current rate of pay at the time the check is issued and deposited via direct deposit (same as a standard paycheck). Hours are prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE.
- Included deductions and withholdings: Payout will be subject to deductions and withholdings for tax and retirement contributions, as well as any qualifying garnishments.
- Excluded deductions and withholdings: Payout will not be deducted for benefit premiums, HSA or FSA contributions or campus-specific deductions (e.g., parking permits, United Way contributions, dining services, etc.).
- Separating from the university: If an employee separates from the university and still has accrued vacation available, the remaining balance will be paid out.
Payout for 2025
- Check timing: Deposited as an off-cycle paycheck around February 19, 2025.
- Direct deposited to the same account employees receive their usual paychecks.
- Calculated using employee's base rate of pay.
- Up to 80 hours paid out. Hours prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE.
- Retirement contributions: For contribution changes to take effect for the 2025 payout, timing is as follows. See "retirement contributions from vacation payout" section for step-by-step instructions and additional resources.
- Change contribution between Jan. 31 – Feb. 6 by 5 p.m.
- Adjust/return contribution between Feb. 7 – Feb. 13 by 5 p.m.
Retirement Contributions from Vacation Payout
Employees can choose to change their contribution percentage for their 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans to either increase, reduce or stop their contribution from the vacation payout.
Please note, employees who are eligible for university matching employer contributions under their core retirement plan who decide to reduce their retirement plan contributions for the vacation payout, should consider resuming their 457(b) allocations after the vacation payout to ensure they are taking advantage of their full retirement plan match.
To make changes, refer to the (PDF). Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultants are also always available to university employees for free 1-on-1 financial planning.
Reviewed 2024-12-19