What a week this is turning out to be. I'm still not feeling my best thanks to the lingering effects of this virus (or whatever it is) that I've had. Mostly I've just been very tired, but my mood has been pretty low, too.
This morning in an effort to cheer myself up, I decided to check my upcoming direct deposit paycheck stub. It's going to be my first paycheck after getting a raise and a "step" * increase for the year, and I was eager to see how much of a difference it would make. I'd already made plans to squirrel the extra cash from each paycheck away to help save for a trip we're planning next spring.
Well, imagine my surprise when I pulled up Friday's paycheck information...and my net pay for two weeks was actually five dollars less than before. I mean, what the actual f*ck?!!!!!
After I rubbed my eyes a couple of times to make sure I wasn't seeing things, I looked a little closer, and it quickly became apparent what had happened. And I can't even be mad about it.
You see, one of the benefits our district offers is that they cover the cost of health insurance for lower earning employees and their families. There's a salary scale that pays 100% of the cost up to a certain number, then 50%, then 0. At my last school, my insurance was covered completely. Then when I transferred to my current school and position three years ago, I got a pretty good raise--even taking into account that that bumped me up to paying 50% of the cost. And now after a couple more salary increases, I'm finally on the hook for the full cost of the coverage. It's eaten up all of this year's gain.
I'm very, very grateful for the years of free medical insurance, and I don't really mind paying up now that I'm making more money. My salary has doubled from when I started eight years ago, and the state employee insurance rates are very reasonable. I have no reason to complain, and I won't.
But it was really disappointing at first.
*A "step" increase is the extra pay you get from each additional year of service.
Well, crud! The price you pay for success, I suppose. But maybe you’ll have better news come tax time. Congratulations anyway!
ReplyDeleteThanks! lol :)
DeleteI remember the dread of finding out what my health insurance was going to cost, especially since I carried 4 people on mine. (my late husband was self-employed) My school district paid a flat amount for all insurances and health insurance came out last. I was generally on the hook for 500-800 dollars a month out of pocket. I don't miss those days at all! My boyfriend worked for Boeing for nearly 40 years and their health insurance cost them $10 a month per person. I tried not to be resentful.
ReplyDelete500 to 800 dollars is a LOT. Jesus. There's only me and my husband, but I don't pay nearly that much.
DeleteI'd have been shocked too, and threatened to take someone out.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, your cooler head saw what happened before anyone got hurt!
Haha! I was fully prepared to call payroll ask them "WTF?" but when I looked over the deductions, it quickly became obvious.
DeleteJennifer, I'm very sorry you're still not feeling well but I have to tell you this plain sucks. Of course you're being very mature about it, and appreciative of everything, but I would still be resentful. I know you are younger than me, but do you see retirement in your horizon?
ReplyDeleteNot even close. I'm 50, and my full retirement age is 68.
DeleteI still hope you don't have to wait until 68. My full retirement age was 67, and I'm still 4 years from that. But I retired early at 56 and feel very lucky I was able to. 🙂
DeleteYears ago my husband was an hourly employee and his checks were on a two week pay period. Sometimes he was asked to work an extra 8 hours on Saturday. We soon discovered his checks were higher when he worked 8 hours overtime but when he worked 2 Saturdays, 16 hours, they were only $10 more than the 8 hours. His pay bumped him into a different percentage for withholding taxes.
ReplyDeleteNow THAT sucks. Was he able to refuse overtime? Because with only a $10 difference I wouldn't have bothered unless someone insisted.
DeleteWell, at least it's money well spent for an important reason.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. And I'm glad people who truly don't make enough to easily afford insurance get it for themselves and their families for free.
DeleteI agree with Debra. It is very nice that they subsidize health care for those folks just starting out.
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteThat must have been really disappointing, but the way you explain it, it makes sense... Still disappointing, though.
ReplyDeleteSince 2023, when I have agreed to be properly employed by the company I'd been freelancing for over 10 years, I have been earning more money than before. But it also means that I pay more taxes now, obviously. And in the German tax system, I am at the worst possible position - single, unmarried, no children, full employment... Therefore, any rise or bonus I have been receiving has only resulted in me paying more taxes so far. But I can't complain, what with me going away not one, but THREE times on rather luxurious holidays/vacations a year!
You do seem to live a comfortable life, and that's the important thing! :)
DeleteGive with one hand, take away with the other - it was ever thus!
ReplyDeleteTrue! :)
DeleteHow disappointing. We all look forward to our raises, and because of your insurance structure you won't actually see an increase until next year. Shit.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you figured it out. How nice that they helped pay for your health insurance for those other years. I'm glad you have a good attitude about it. Maybe you can deduct it with other medical expenses on your tax return?
ReplyDeleteYou are being quite mature about this whole situation but I feel certain that looking at your pay stub did nothing to cheer you up. And that sucks.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry it turned out this way. Your attitude is amazing. I hate how expensive health insurance is.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can deduct all medical costs (including the medical insurance) on your taxes. Insurance costs are only going to keep rising.
ReplyDeleteMaking $10 less overall after a pay raise just seems wrong.