I was filling out the FAFSA when I came across the question “94a. Parents’ Payments to Tax-Deferred Pensions & Retirement Savings:”
The tip says “The response indicates the total amount of payments to tax-deferred pension and retirement savings plans (paid directly or withheld from the student’s parents’ earnings) including amounts reported on the student’s parents’ W-2 Forms in Boxes 12a through 12d, codes D, E, F, G, H, and S. Don’t include amounts reported in code DD (employer contributions toward employee health benefits).”
On my parent’s W2 form in 12b it has Code W and says 1800. Do I count that value? I am confused because it does not list code W in its list of codes (DEFGHS).
Also, in box 13, retirement plan is "X"ed and in box 14 Other it says “RETMNT 3538.80”. Do these count towards FAFSA’s question? Thanks
Is your parent a government employee?
She is a teacher in the public school district. Not sure if that is just state or federal employee.
My understanding is that non-voluntary pension and retirement contributions, which are mostly found in situations of government/public employment, are not reported on FAFSA and are therefore not added back to the parent’s income.
However, a W code in box 12 indicates employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA), including amounts the employee elected to contribute through a cafeteria plan. This has nothing to do with retirement savings.