9/12 Pay Plan Option for Academic-Year Employees

The University offers eligible academic-year employees the opportunity to enroll in the 9/12 Pay Plan Option. This option allows an eligible employee’s academic salary to be distributed over the 12-month fiscal year (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024) instead of the standard 9-month academic year.

Eligibility

The 9/12 Pay Plan Option is available to full benefits-eligible academic-year faculty and appointed personnel after their first year of employment on a standard 9-month academic year contact.

The following individuals are not eligible:

  • Faculty in their final year of a phased retirement agreement
  • Graduate assistants/associates
  • Postdoctoral research associates
  • Visiting, adjunct, and other temporary employees
  • Non-exempt employees
  • Classified staff
  • University Staff

Enrollment

The enrollment window for the 9/12 Pay Plan Option is currently CLOSED for new enrollments.  The last day for eligible employees to enroll in the 9/12 Pay Plan Option for FY 2024 was Thursday, May 4, 2023.  The next enrollment window will be in late Spring 2024 (April/May 2024 - specific dates to be determined).

You must complete the 9/12 Pay Plan Option Enrollment AgreementGive the completed form to your department business representative by Thursday, May 4, 2023. The form will be submitted by your department as an attachment to a job data change request through MSS Online Forms and is due to Workforce Systems by Monday, May 8, 2023 for an effective date of July 1, 2023. Your department will retain the original form.

Continuation

It is not necessary to re-enroll each year.  You will continue in the 9/12 Pay Plan Option until you withdraw or until your academic appointment changes to a fiscal appointment.  You will need to re-enroll if you later revert to an academic appointment.

Withdrawal

Employees must withdraw from the plan if they plan to retire or enter into their final year of a phased retirement agreement, have an FTE reduction, take a leave of absence or go on long-term disability during the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

Please complete the Return To 9/9 Pay Plan Form if you wish to withdraw from your 12-month pay arrangement and begin receiving your pay over the 9-month academic year. Give the completed form to your department business representative by Thursday, May 4, 2023. Your department will submit the form as an attachment to a job data change request through MSS Online Forms and is due to Workforce Systems by Monday, May 8, 2023 for an effective date of July 1, 2023. Your department will retain the original form. You will not receive pay from July 1, 2023 until the first academic paycheck on August 25, 2023.

Termination or Retirement at the End of an Academic Year

Employees on the 9/12 pay plan who end employment at the end of academic contract period on May 21, 2023, will receive a one-time lump sum payment to meet the conditions of the 9/12 pay plan agreement. This payment will be made on the last pay date of the academic year. UA benefits will end at the conclusion of the academic year in May.

Employees who will not return to work after the end of the academic year are no longer eligible to remain on the 9/12 Pay Plan Option after May 21, 2023.

Termination or Retirement Prior to the End of an Academic Year

On the 9/12 pay plan there is a period when you receive compensation in advance of performing services. If you terminate, retire, have an FTE reduction, take a leave of absence, or go on long-term disability while on the 12-month pay schedule, you will be responsible for repaying any excess payments you receive.

Forms and Resources

9-month-pay employees do not receive paychecks during the summer months. Please be aware that benefit premiums for these summer months are pre-collected during the spring semester. If your benefits are effective as of January 1, the pre-collected amounts are evenly distributed throughout most of the pay periods in the spring semester.

If for any reason we are unable to pre-collect a portion of your summer premiums during any pay period in the spring semester, those missed amounts will be collected in a lump sum on your first available paycheck after your benefit elections/changes are effective. Lump-sum collections may be triggered by changes in your coverage level for a qualified life event or a hire date after January 1.

Related FAQs

General Questions

Your benefit premium deductions will be distributed equally over 12 months beginning on July 1.  You will receive a refund of any premiums that you pre-paid for July 1 through the start of the academic year.

Yes, if you elect to return to the academic-year pay schedule, the change will become effective on July 1, the start of the next fiscal year. A Return to 9/9 Pay Plan Form must be submitted by your department’s business representative to Workforce Systems no later than Monday, May 8, 2023.  Give the completed form to your department business representative by Thursday, May 4, 2023. The form will be submitted by your department as an attachment to a job data change request through MSS Online Forms effective July 1, 2023. The hard copy can be maintained by the department.

No, you will still be eligible to earn up to 1/3 of your salary as supplemental compensation. Supplemental compensation monies may be received concurrently with salary payments during July and August.

No, you will remain an academic year employee while on the 9/12 Pay Plan.

No, non-exempt employees are not eligible to enroll in the 9/12 Pay Plan.

No, changes are only permitted during the specified enrollment and withdrawal period each year.

The 9/12 Pay Plan Option is available to full benefits-eligible academic-year faculty and appointed personnel after their first year of employment at UA.

The following individuals are not eligible:

  • Faculty in their final year of a phased retirement agreement
  • Graduate assistants/associates
  • Postdoctoral research associates
  • Visiting, adjunct, and other temporary employees
  • Non-exempt employees
  • Classified staff
  • University Staff

No, you will remain enrolled in the 9/12 Pay Plan option until you elect to withdraw from the plan by completing a Return to 9/9 Pay Plan Form.

You will be responsible for repaying the University for any excess payment you may have received by participating in the 9/12 Pay Plan.

Your termination date will be in May at the end of the academic year, and you will receive a one-time lump sum payment to meet the conditions of the 9/12 Pay Plan Option Agreement.  UA benefits will end at the conclusion of the academic year in May.

Employees who will not return to work after the end of the academic year are no longer eligible to remain on the 9/12 Pay Plan Option after May 21, 2023.

If you participate in the Voluntary 403(b) plan and/or the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, you may wish to consult with an investment company representative regarding any changes that may be required due to your change in pay schedule.  Contact information for investment company representatives.

University Staff are not eligible for the 9/12 Pay Plan Option because their employment is at-will and they do not hold an academic year contract.