Payroll and Benefits
Benefits and Consultation
Benefits are available to full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week on a regular basis.
Explore USG employee benefit options for programs like health, vision, dental, life insurance and more. There are great tools like a benefits summary and a comparison guide, information about the Family and Medical Leave Act, and help for when your family status or life status changes.
Retirement
All full-time employees of the University System of Georgia are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan. Your eligibility depends on your employment status (exempt or non-exempt).
Georgia Gwinnett College and its employees do not provide financial advice. These vendors are listed for your convenience, and we encourage you to consult with a professional advisor to determine which plan(s) best fit your individual needs.
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors is an independent advisory firm available to all USG employees. Their advisors provide objective guidance to help you navigate your retirement benefits and comprehensive financial planning at no cost to you.
Schedule appointment with CAPTRUST
1-800-967-9948
The Teachers Retirement System (TRS) is a defined benefit plan funded by both employee and employer contributions. Employees are vested after ten years of creditable service, becoming eligible for a pension upon retirement. Hourly employees are required to participate in TRS. More information including employee and employer contribution rates is available on the USG website – Teachers Retirement System 〈TRS〉.
The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) is a defined contribution plan (401a) where employees are immediately vested. Both employee and employer contributions are made to selected financial vendors, and the employee directs the investment of these funds. Learn more about ORP including employee and employer contribution rates from USG – Optional Retirement Plan.
Georgia Gwinnett College offers two voluntary plans to help you save more for retirement: a 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan and a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. You have the flexibility to participate in one or both plans simultaneously to maximize your savings. For further information between the two plans, visit 403B vs 457B Plans.
For both plans, you can choose how your contributions are taxed:
- Pre-Tax: Contributions are taken before taxes, lowering your current taxable income.
- Roth: Contributions are taken after tax, allowing for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
For additional details regarding a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan account(s) or to speak with a representative, please contact or schedule an appointment with one of the approved USG financial vendors listed below.
Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG/VALIC)
Schedule appointment with Corebridge Financial
1-800-448-2542
Alva O'Neal, 470-701-2397, alva.oneal [at] corebridgefinancial.com (alva[dot]oneal[at]corebridgefinancial[dot]com)
Fidelity
Schedule appointment with Fidelity
1-800-343-0860
Eden Schwallier, 404-491-7551, eden.schwallier [at] fmr.com (eden[dot]schwallier[at]fmr[dot]com)
TIAA
Schedule appointment with TIAA
1-800-842-2252
Alexander Herman, 470-242-2910, alexander.herman [at] tiaa.org (alexander[dot]herman[at]tiaa[dot]org)
Educational Assistance Programs
As part of its desire to foster the professional growth and development of its employees, the University System of Georgia (USG) provides a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Full-time employees who have been in position for at least 6 months are eligible to take up to 9 credit hours per semester at any of the 26 USG institutions and receive a waiver of tuition and certain fees. (Please note: professional programs, executive and premiere graduate programs are excluded from TAP.) To apply for this benefit, please contact Payroll and Benefits. To participate in TAP you must (1) complete the admissions process with the University System institution you wish to attend, and (2) turn in your completed TAP application with supervisor approval by the application deadline each semester.
- Read the TAP Policy. You are responsible for knowing the policies and procedures and you verify your understanding of these policies and agreement to abide by them with your signature on the TAP application.
- Tuition assistance is the waiver of tuition and the waiver of certain fees. The following fees are waived by all USG institutions for TAP attendees: tuition, student late registration fee, student technology fee, student health insurance fee, and student athletic/recreation fee. TAP attendees whose student health fee, student activity fee, and athletic fee are waived are ineligible for the services sponsored by these fees unless the fees are paid separately.
- Other student fees and charges, as defined by the “teaching institution,” are not waived for TAP attendees, and must be paid as required by the course or institution. Examples of these fees include, but are not limited to, transcript fees, graduation fees, exam and testing fees, and lab fees.
- If you register prior to the specified TAP registration period, you will be responsible for all tuition and fees.
- TAP is a supplemental educational assistance program. An employee who is eligible for HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grants and/or Pell Grants must apply those monies toward tuition and fees before receiving a TAP waiver. If TAP funds are applied first, and the employee subsequently receives other financial aid, the employee will be responsible for returning aid that they have received in excess through TAP and/or HOPE or Pell.
Full-time employees of the USG may set aside pre-tax dollars in a 529 Savings Plan to pay for a child’s college education. TIAA serves as the program manager and offers seven different investment options with no start-up fees and no maintenance fees. You designate the beneficiary and control the funds in the account before and during college. Funds may be used at virtually any college or university in the U.S., and if your child decides not to attend college, or uses a scholarship, you can change the beneficiary to another family member. Georgia taxpayers are eligible to receive federal and state income tax deductions for their contributions to this plan. For more information, explore information on the USG website and Path2College 529 Plan website.
- Regular and special payroll processing
- Garnishment of pay
- Tax administration
- Time and attendance administration
- Work schedule
- Recording transactions in the college's accounting system
- Ensuring all accounts are reconciled routinely and timely
- Biweekly employees, including student workers, are paid every other Friday.
- Monthly employees are paid on the last business day of each month.
Direct deposit is a condition of employment with the University System of Georgia (USG). All USG employees, including employees of Georgia Gwinnett College, are required to use direct deposit. Direct deposit can be set up by employees through the OneUSG Connect portal or by visiting the Payroll and Benefits office and providing a valid photo ID and a voided check or a printout from their bank with both the routing and account numbers. Hand-written information, except on bank letterhead, will not be accepted as direct deposit documentation.
Tax withholding elections can be made via the OneUSG Employee Self-Service portal.
The W-4 and G-4 are available online. The portal also allows employees to have their W-2 sent electronically, view prior W-2 information and print a copy. Paper tax withholding forms and worksheets are also accepted and kept on file with Payroll and Benefits. Any questions or changes pertaining to your withholding status can be made by contacting the payroll office.
Other Benefits and Resources
The OneUSG Connect portal is your toolkit to manage your personal information. Self service allows you to manage personal information without the need for emails and phone calls to Payroll and Benefits or Human Resources. This portal provides one convenient location to update your contact information, to view your paystubs and W-2s, and to manage your timecard, benefit elections, life events, direct deposit information and tax withholdings.
Explore information about the Shared Sick Leave Program.
All Georgia Gwinnett College employees are covered by the provisions of the Georgia Workers Compensation Act. This act provides payment for medical and hospital expenses, as well as disability compensation, in the event an employee is injured while performing his/her job duties. It is imperative that proper and timely reporting of accidents occurs, as Workers Compensation claims cannot be paid under any other insurance, including disability insurance. Thus, to ensure proper coverage, employees should notify their supervisors immediately upon incurring a work-related injury. Supervisors should in turn immediately notify the Office of Payroll and Benefits.
As a member of the GGC community, you have access to a variety of exclusive savings. There are a number of discounts for local attractions, entertainment, sporting events, technology, wireless services, shopping, and travel.
Access these savings through the following programs:
Perks at Work
A comprehensive discount program featuring thousands of brands and personal development resources.
TicketsatWork
Your source for exclusive deals on theme parks, movie tickets, and travel.
Team Georgia
The official state website for discounts specifically reserved for State of Georgia employees.
Working Advantage
Offers exclusive deals on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, and online shopping.
The University System of Georgia (USG) and GGC care about your health and well-being. That’s why USG provides employees with a variety of tools that make it easy for you to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life. Stay connected through Inside GGC and the events calendar to participate in GGC well-being events.
Contact Us
Contact us
Payroll and Benefits
Location: B-2450
Fax: 678.407.5188
payroll@ggc.edu
benefits@ggc.edu
Address
Payroll and Benefits, B-2450
Georgia Gwinnett College
1000 University Center Lane
Lawrenceville, GA 30043-7409
