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February 2023 In-Year Compensation Program

Cornell seal on wall in Willard Straight Hall

Program Parameters

On behalf of the university leadership, we are pleased to be able to provide a special in-year payment to acknowledge the pressures of high inflation on our workforce. Messages to eligible employees will go out the week of Mon., Feb. 6, 2023.


Eligibility

To qualify, employees must meet all three of the following criteria:

  • Full-time or part-time regular non-bargaining unit staff, librarians, archivists, instructors, lecturers, extension/research/teaching associates, and vet interns/residents/senior residents
  • Earn a full-time annualized base salary up to $99,999
  • Be employed by Cornell on or before January 1, 2023 and remain on Cornell payroll through January 31, 2023

This program doesn’t cover our bargaining unit staff,  who’ve negotiated their increases separately.


Payment calculation and distribution

The one-time payment will be on a sliding scale, based on an eligible employee's annualized base pay.  It will be distributed in the February 15 semi-monthly paycheck or the February 16 biweekly paycheck.

Annualized Base Pay

Payment Amount

Up to $49,999

$1,000

$50,000 to $59,999

$900

$60,000 to $69,999

$800

$70,000 to $79,999

$700

$80,000 to $89,999

$600

$90,000 to $99,999

$500

Please note that this payment is subject to taxes and qualifies for Tax-deferred Annuity (TDA) contributions, but it is not otherwise benefits-eligible.


Additional Details regarding TDAs

If you would like to adjust your TDA contribution for the same check as this one-time payment, please make the adjustment no later than:

  • 4pm Wed., Feb. 8 with an effective day of Feb. 1, 2023 for bi-weekly employees or
  • 4pm Sat., Feb. 11 with an effective day of Feb. 11, 2023 for semi-monthly employees.

Visit the TDA webpage under “How to Enroll and Change Contribution Allocations” for further instructions.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What if the employee is hired after the eligibility effective date?

Should an employee begin employment with Cornell after January 1, 2023, they will not receive the payment.

Q. What if the employee’s pay changes after January 1, 2023?

The Payment Amount is based on the employee’s annualized base pay effective January 1, 2023.  

Q. What if the employee is not on the payroll at the time of distribution?

Should an employee terminate prior to January 31, 2023, effective date, they will not receive the payment.

Q. What if the employee earns above $99,999?

Employees with an annualized base pay greater than $99,999 are not eligible for the one-time payment.

Q: Do pay components in addition to base pay impact the payment amount?

No. Administrative supplements, allowances, bonuses, and additional payments are excluded from the payment calculation.

Q. What college/unit account will be charged?

The payments will be charged to the costing assigned to the “Worker-Position” associated with the primary job that is in effect at the time of payment.

Q: What if the employee changes positions to a new department?

The new department will be responsible for paying the bonus reflecting the Payment Amount based on their full-time annualized salary as of January 1, 2023.

Q. How will this payment be taxed?

The payment is categorized as a one-time payment discretionary bonus and will be charged the full fringe rate and CURP and Pension eligible. The amount of tax withheld will vary based on the tax withholding certificates (IRS Form W-4) that the employee has on file in Workday.