Each year questions are asked about what seem to be discrepancies on members' W2s--specifically the amount shown in Box 1 (Wages) being too low.
The amount shown in Box 1 only reflects wages that are subject to federal, state and city taxes. Some wages are not subject to taxes and are not shown. Such items as TSAs, TDPs, MIP, Basic 4, Pension Plus, Section 125s, healthcare premiums etc. are not subject to taxes.
If a member made $65,000, but put $10,000 annually into her TSA, then Box 1 would only show $55,000 in taxable wages. If another member made $65,000, but put a combined $25,000 annually toward a TSA, TDP, MIP and healthcare premiums, then Box 1 would only show $40,000.
Box 3 (Social Security Wages) is a better indicator of wages earned during a calendar year. But, even Box 3 does not always indicate all wages earned since healthcare premiums and Section 125s are not subject to Social Security taxes. If a member made $65,000, but paid $2,000 in healthcare premiums and put $1,000 into a section 125, then Box 3 would only show $62,000.
For pension purposes, if a person made $65,000, the entire $65,000 is reported to the Michigan retirement system. Members can verify this by accessing their miAccount with the retirement system.
Also, remember that the wages shown on a member's W2 reflect the wages for a calendar year (January 1 to December 31) while the wages shown on a member's miAccount reflect the wages for a school year (July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the next calendar year).
- Patrick Falcusan, DFT Financial Analyst