Audience: Employers with access to the MERS Defined Benefit Employer Reporting Portal
Product: Defined Benefit and Hybrid plans
Date Sent: 12/03/2024
Format: eBlast
Description: An email to employers with access to the MERS Defined Benefit Employer Reporting Portal system was sent notifying them that after December 13, when reporting a Leave of Absence (e.g., disability, FMLA, worker’s comp) or Lump Sum Payment (e.g., PTO, bonus, annual holiday pay) wage discrepancy code, they will no longer be required to provide additional details in the “Note” field. Instead:
- When reporting a Leave of Absence, municipalities will be prompted to provide the “Start Date” and “End Date” of the employee’s absence during the reporting period, as well as the employee’s “Hourly Pay Rate.” If the municipality selects “Leave” with the type of “Other,” they will be asked to enter a description of the leave (for example, parental leave) that matches what’s in their provisions.
- When reporting a Lump Sum Payment, municipalities will be prompted to provide “Payment Type” and “Payment Amount.” If they selected a Payment Type of “Other,” they will be asked to enter a description of the payment (for example, pay advance) that matches what’s listed in their provisions.
The email also links to updated resources and webpages where municipalities can get more information. These resources include:
- Discrepancy Code Guide
- Wage, Service, and Contribution Guide
- Report Leave of Absence (video)
- Report Final Month Includable Wages (video)
Sample: eBlast: Defined Benefit Reporting Updates
Questions? Please reach out to the MERS Service Center with any questions – 800.767.6377.