On Dec. 18, Gov. Brian Kemp announced a one-time, $1,000 state employee retention pay supplement for K-12 educators, school support staff, and state employees, including eligible employees of the University System of Georgia (USG).  

“Given how hard these men and women have worked to serve Georgians during the pandemic, to help keep our communities safe, and to make the state government more streamlined and efficient, this seems wholly appropriate to me,” Kemp said. 

Eligibility 

All regular, benefits-eligible faculty and staff of the USG who work a standard work week of 30 hours or more who are actively employed as of Dec.1 are eligible to receive the pay supplement. Employees not receiving benefits, including temporary employees and those working less than 30 hours per week, are not eligible for the pay supplement. There may be exceptions to the eligibility population based on unit structure and funding. 

Timing and Pay  

Eligible employees will receive the pay supplement on Dec. 29. The state supplemental payment will be issued one time only and is subject to all applicable taxes. 

General FAQs  

1. What is the one-time pay supplement?  
   State officials determined that state agencies will provide a one-time pay supplement of $1,000 to all full benefits-eligible state employees.  

2. Who is eligible for the one-time pay supplement?  
   The $1,000 one-time supplement is for all regular full benefits-eligible employees active on Dec. 1 (regular status with standard working hours of 30 hours or more). Part-time employees working less than 30 hours per week, temporary employees, and those no longer active as of the processing date, Dec. 20, are not eligible.  

3. When will employees receive the one-time supplement payment? 
   The one-time supplement will be paid in a separate payment on the Dec. 29 payroll for all eligible employees. 

4. Is the supplement “retirement eligible?” 
   No, the one-time supplement is not eligible for retirement. 

5. How will the supplement be taxed? 
   Payments will be subject to all applicable FICA taxes, federal income tax, and state income tax. In alignment with the state of Georgia’s approach, the supplemental payment will be taxed at supplemental rates established by federal and state taxing agencies. These rates include 22% federal withholding, 6.2% OASDI withholding (Social Security), 1.45% Medicare withholding, and state withholding.  

6. Should the supplement be included for Transparency in Government Act (TiGA) reporting purposes?  
   Yes, the supplement will be included in TiGA reporting. 

7. Will the one-time supplement be prorated for those with standard working hours of less than 40 hours?  
   No, there will be no prorated payments. All eligible employees (regular status with standard working hours of 30 hours or more) will receive the full supplement.  

8.  If an employee terminates prior to the payment date, is the employee still eligible 
   for the one-time supplement payment? 
   Eligible employees must still be employed and in active pay status when the supplement issued on Dec. 20.Employees will not receive the supplement if they have already separated as of that date.  

9. If an employee is in an unpaid leave status, will they receive the payment? 
   If an employee in an unpaid leave status is eligible, the institution will work with the SSC to pay the supplement to the eligible employee upon their return to active pay status.