Student Employment | University of Colorado at Boulder

Additional On-Campus Employment Information

Questions about on-campus employment that apply to both work-study and non work-study positions.

I'm a university employee and I have questions about my paycheck and/or my taxes.
As a student employee, do I have to contribute to Social Security (FICA)?

I'm a university employee and I have questions about my paycheck and/or my taxes.: All university employees, including on- and off-campus work-study and student hourly employees, are paid through the CU Payroll and Benefits Services Office (PBS). For specific pay information, please contact the PBS Service Center at 303-735-6500 or stop by their office located at 3100 Marine Street.

As a student employee, do I have to contribute to Social Security (FICA)?

To comply with the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, the following students are required to enroll in the Student Retirement Plan:

Undergraduate Students:
- Academic Year: Students enrolled in less than six credits for the academic year
- Summer: Students enrolled in less than six credits for the summer (total credit hours of all summer terms).
- NEW: Student employees whose normal work schedules are 40 or more hours per week (across all jobs at the university) will be subject to student retirement, regardless of the number of credits in which they are enrolled.
Graduate Students:
- Academic Year: Students enrolled in less than three academic credit hours
- Summer: Students enrolled in less than three credits for the summer (total credit hours of all summer terms).
- NEW: Student employees whose normal work schedules are 40 or more hours per week (across all jobs at the university) will be subject to student retirement, regardless of the number of credits in which they are enrolled.

A student employee's normal weekly work schedule is not affected by increases in hours worked caused by work demands unforeseen at the start of an academic term, and a student employee's work schedule during academic breaks is not considered.

The retirement holder for CU students is TIAA/CREF, and questions about retirement funds should be directed to them at their toll-free number, 1-800-842-2776.

If you are required to enroll in the retirement program, you will contribute 7.5% of your wage for the retirement deduction and 1.45% for the meditax deduction. Assessment of whether or not you must participate in the program will be made at the beginning of each term (fall, spring, summer). Students may only withdraw their retirement contributions upon graduation or withdrawal from the university.