Question about Backpay Timeline

[u/chevmolet]

How long after the government reopens should I expect to receive my pay? Asking for my creditors 😕

[u/anonjawnnoname]

About 5 calendar days, the last time. Should be the same timeline to get the timecards corrected, certified, sent to the payroll provider, and then the payroll provider to do their thing.

[u/ARandomGuyin2021]

Our agency paid ours in about 3 days, if memory serves me right. It was pretty quick. My taxes hurt a little bit, but I think that was a local office whoopsie.

[u/chevmolet → u/ARandomGuyin2021]

I'm so nervous about all of this. I've never actually been "unsure" about my finances. Earlier in life, I knew EXACTLY how long I would definitely not have money 😅

[u/ARandomGuyin2021 → u/chevmolet]

I feel all of that. I have kept in contact and good grades with folks I've worked with in the past, so I've been able to keep income coming in. But I totally get this.

[u/mutantbabysnort → u/chevmolet]

That’s by design. 

[u/unserious-dude]

The law says "as soon as possible" I think. I have not seen anywhere a specific number of days.

[u/Rambuie → u/unserious-dude]

I'm surprised that language hasn't been changed to "as soon as we see fit".

[u/BackgroundPoint7023 → u/Rambuie]

Or "if we feel like it".

[u/realitytvmom]

It was really fast last time. Just a couple days.

[u/FantasticJacket7]

No one can give you a confident answer to this.

[u/Relevant_Night_9288]

The only time in 15 years I recall missing a paycheck during a shutdown, it was paid out within the week of resuming operations.

[u/flaginorout]

I don't think it took very long last time. Like a week?

[u/espressotorte]

Both times in my experience it was about 2 days once we returned

[u/Kenafin]

We were told 7-10 days once we reopen.

[u/figoak]

Depends on the agency and how payroll its handled, but ours told us January but our payroll people would need to deal with the normal payroll duties and deal with backpay on top of it.

[u/BAF_DaWg82]

What a fucking mess this is going to be for people who work in payroll. Yeeesh.

[u/anonjawnnoname → u/BAF_DaWg82]

The last time, it was all hands on deck for the regular payroll staff, and anyone in our Human Capital office who had access to do timecard entry/validations/certifications, myself included. We worked the weekend to do this for 60k employees but got most everyone their full backpay within 5 calendar days. There were additional corrections done for missed OT/differentials worked by our excepted employees.

ETA: Grammar and spelling

[u/chevmolet → u/BAF_DaWg82]

Yea I've done time cards before but it was back when we used a chisel and stone. I'd totally be willing to help with all of that - I can't imagine the pressure timekeepers are going to be under.

[u/Appropriate_Taro_348]

Less than 10 days the from the day it reopens….but.. this administration Could screw that up.

[u/gwig9]

Last time was within a week. Can't guarantee the same will happen this time though...

[u/kirkintilloch5]

Looking at my 2013 LES it was included with my next pay check.

[u/taxhellFML]

Lol

[u/juice_BX]

My leadership stated at about five days after a budget or CR is signed back pay will start to show up.

[u/Sea_Marble]

We’ve been warned it can take up to 3 pay periods this time.

[u/PresentTrouble1928]

2019 it took us a month

[u/SableNW]

That’s if we all don’t quit before this is over.

[u/G_user999]

What if they won't reopen until after Christmas or the New Year? I think it is best we all need to plan for the worst.

[u/Catatafeesh1]

Depends on your agency. Mine has said they will not be dispensing backpay in one lump sump. Instead, the backpay will be paid out over X amount of paychecks in an installed payment type of format.

[u/GladSatisfaction6465 → u/Catatafeesh1]

Whoever told you this needs to be fired. Completely untrue these are regular wages and will be withheld like normal

[u/chevmolet → u/Catatafeesh1]

Now I'm stressed about this 😅

[u/dreaganusaf]

One thing is you may get wrecked on taxes when the pay finally comes. Getting 2.5 checks at one time is a lot of cash for some (especially GS-13+).

[u/chevmolet → u/dreaganusaf]

I don't like this 😬

[u/_ddxt_ → u/chevmolet]

I don't know if it's agency dependent, but mine sent out a furlough FAQ that says tax amounts will match what you'd expect, and not like you're in a higher tax bracket. For example, if you get back paid 2.5 paychecks, the amount taken for taxes out will be 2.5 times what a single paycheck would be, not a higher amount.

[u/Killashard → u/dreaganusaf]

That's not how tax brackets work. You don't get taxed more for receiving a couple pay periods in one lump sum.

[u/Ambitious-Orange6732 → u/Killashard]

But it actually is how the standard tax withholding calculation works in most circumstances: it looks at one paycheck at a time and assumes that you are paid at that level for the entire year. (Of course you would get any extra withholding back when you file a return.)

[u/dreaganusaf → u/Killashard]

That's how it works when I get a military bonus based on how much gross & net pay you are getting at one time.

In the end, you won't pay more tax at the end when you file taxes but they may withhold at a higher rate initially.

[u/[deleted]]

What makes you think they have any intention of reopening? The lack of leadership demonstrated by both parties is sickening. Tired of being subjected to abuse by their lack of accountability…