Extended Pay Plan


Please find the guidelines and information for the Buffalo Teachers Federation Extended Pay Plan below. If you have any questions, please contact the BTF Office at (716) 881-5400.

 

The Extended Pay Plan is a form of a savings plan for teachers who want to be assured they have budgeted monies for the summer following the school year. The program is an optional one for any Buffalo teacher who wishes to participate.
Any teacher who wishes to participate in the Extended Pay Plan should be aware of all the information that follows:

Q. How much money do I receive during the summer?

A. You decide how much you want to receive during the summer of 2021. Assuming there are no difficulties, payroll deductions occur from 20 paychecks during the 2020-2021 school year.

The amount you receive will depend on how much you have deducted from each check. (Please See the Options, Formulas and Examples Section Below)

 

Q. How do I receive my summer payments?

A. You may receive your summer payments as paper checks mailed directly to the address that is on file with the BTF or there is also a direct deposit option. (Please See the Direct Deposit Section Below)

 

Q How much money will come out of each check?

A. The exact amount of deduction is determined by you and will be withheld from 20 of your 22 warrants. The minimum deduction per pay warrant allowable is $40. You may increase this amount in $5 units (i.e. $45, $50, $55, $60, etc.).

 

Q. Are there other teachers participating in the BTF Extended Pay Plan?

A. Currently more than 1800 teachers are participating.

 

Q. How do I sign up?

A. You must complete an Extended Pay Plan card. The Extended Pay Plan card is divided into 3 cards. Be sure to complete the top two cards as instructed. Be sure the amount that you would like to have deducted from each paycheck is listed. The third card is for direct deposit (Please See the Direct Deposit Section Below). Cards are not available online. Contact your building delegate for an enrollment form or call Joseph Montante or Jackie Newton at the BTF Office (881-5400). ALL CARDS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE BTF OFFICE.

 

Q. When should I sign up for the Extended Pay Plan?

A. Submit your form during the months of May, June and July, for the following September. New teachers may enroll when they receive their New Membership Packet.

 

Q. What is an advance withdrawal?

A. An advance withdrawal is available to you should you need funds before the summer. One withdrawal per school year is allowed. Call the BTF and ask to speak with either Joseph Montante or his secretary and they will take the necessary information over the telephone. Please be advised that it may take three to five days to process a check.

 

Q. Am I allowed a second withdrawal?

A. Yes, however, if a second withdrawal is taken, you will be asked to discontinue your paycheck deduction for the remainder of the school year.

 

Q. Will I be able to have my summer check before the scheduled payments?

A. No. To keep our records accurate, up-to-date, and provide sufficient time for our accountants to review the accounts, there will be no withdrawals after June 1st (of each school year) unless there is an extraordinary circumstance, which we will ask be accompanied by appropriate documentation.

 


DIRECT DEPOSIT

 

The BTF/Extended Pay Plan Program reached an agreement with Northwest Bank for DIRECT DEPOSIT of your Extended Pay Plan checks. Listed below are ways that Direct Deposit can make your summer checks efficient and safe:

 

  • 100% of the funds are available when the funds are deposited to your account.
  • Funds are in your account when you are on vacation or sick.
  • No worries if the mail is late.

 

Please consider this benefit. You will need to complete the third card of the Extended Pay Plan form. The best way to ensure the accuracy of your banking information is to include a voided check for the account that you would like to have the funds deposited into.

 

Northwest Bank will have your Extended Pay Plan funds electronically deposited during summer into the bank of your choice. You DO NOT need to have an account at Northwest Bank.

 

Please remember that if you make any changes to the account that your Extended Pay Plan funds are deposited in, YOU MUST notify the BTF before June 1st to be sure that your summer payments are deposited into the correct account.

 


OPTIONS, FORMULAS and EXAMPLES

 

Option 1: One check or direct deposit issued during the summer recess.

 

Formula: To determine the exact amount of the summer check or direct deposit under Option 1, multiply the amount deducted each paycheck times 20.

 

Example: $100 withheld per paycheck times 20 equals $2,000. If you saved $100 per paycheck and selected Option 1, your one summer check or direct deposit would total exactly $2,000.

 

Option 2: Two checks or direct deposits issued during the summer recess.

 

Formula: To determine the amount per check or deposit under Option 2 multiply the amount deducted each paycheck times 20 and divide by 2.

 

Example: $100 withheld each paycheck times 20 equals $2,000 divided by 2 equals $1,000. If you saved $100 per paycheck and selected Option 2, your two summer checks or direct deposits would each total exactly $1,000.

 

Option 3: Four checks or direct deposits are issued at two-week intervals during the summer recess.

 

Formula: To determine the amount per check or direct deposit under Option 3 multiply the amount deducted each paycheck times 20 and divide by 4.

 

Example: $100 deducted per paycheck times 20 is $2,000 divided by 4 equals $500. If you saved $100 per paycheck and selected Option 3, your four summer checks or direct deposits would each total exactly $500.

 

Special Notes:

If you receive paper checks, please be aware that they are only payable for 60 days after the date of issue, as stated on the front of the check. Also be sure to update your address to be sure that your payments arrive on time.

 

Interest monies are used to help defray the BTF’s operational expenses and thereby keep dues costs down.