Planning Ahead: Making the Most of Your July or October Salary Increase

Classified staff received a 3% salary increase starting July 1, in October, Administrative Professional employees will receive a 1.4% increase, and faculty may be eligible for a merit increase in October. You may already have those extra funds earmarked for a particular use, but remember all WSU employees have access to two voluntary plans, with flexible contributions ranging from $15 per pay period up to $23,500-$31,000 per each plan in 2025. You can make either pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) contributions to these plan. They are very flexible, and you can start, stop or change contributions at any time. To learn more or enroll, visit Voluntary Retirement Plans. Details on salary increases can be found on the General Salary Increase Information web page.

Are you 50 or older, and will you earn $145,000 or more in 2025?

If so, and if you are a voluntary plan participant, either with the TIAA VIP or DRS DCP plan, be aware of a change coming in 2026. Catch-up contributions are available to those over 50 (normally $7,500, and more for those between 60-63) will be taken as a Roth contribution per the federal government Secure 2.0 legislation. The $24,000 base contributions are your choice as to whether they are made on a pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) basis, but the catch-up will change to only Roth contributions. Watch for more information from HRS Benefits on this topic coming over the Fall semester.

Medical Leave and Accommodation:

If you haven’t heard, the HRS Disability Services unit is now called Medical Leave and Accommodation (MLA).

  • Email: hrs.mla@wsu.edu
  • Phone: 509-335-9158

We also have a complete team again! Please reach out with any medical leave issues you have due to your own or family members need, or if you may need to investigate a possible reasonable accommodation to help you perform your job. Visit our website for more information.

And as always, take advantage of the training and great resources offered by our various state and benefit partners:

Department of Retirement Systems hosts Podcasts and Webinars on a wide variety of retirement and financial wellbeing topics.

EAP Website

Use code WSU to access resources

TIAA Education Resources

Ranging from retirement planning, investing, life events, personal finance, etc.