AFA E-Lines: Oct 26, 2022

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AFA Debrief – October 26, 2022

• Contribution Limit to 401(k) increases for 2023
• December 2022 Special COLA
• Welcome Class 2234!

Contribution Limit to 401(k) increases for 2023

Employees who participate in 401(k) plans should be aware that the contribution limit for 2023 has been increased to $22,500, up from $20,500.

The “catch-up” contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401(k) plans has also increased to $7,500, up from last year’s $6,500 maximum. This means that 401(k) participants who are 50 years of age and older will be able to contribute $30,000 starting in 2023.

Annual Increase Program Elections via Fidelity Website

As a reminder, our Fidelity Plans provide for the Annual Increase Program. The Annual Increase Program allows you to increase your contribution amount by a certain percentage each year. Manage this election from the Fidelity website at www.401k.com >> Accounts & Benefits >> Manage Contributions where you can update the amount of the increase, the date of the increase or opt in/out of the program at any time. You may contribute as little as 1% to as much as 100%.

The Annual Increase Program should not be confused with the Automatic Enrollment and Escalation feature provided for in Section 29.I.1.d.(3) of our contract which is implemented at company discretion.

Automatic Enrollment & Escalation Feature Under the Contract

Effective as of January 1, 2017, management added an automatic escalation feature to the United Airlines Flight Attendant 401(k) plan. As provided for in Section 29.I.1.d.(3)., the 401(k) plan may include an Automatic Enrollment and Escalation feature at Company discretion. Flight Attendants may elect to opt out of either feature.

Unless you opted out of the program, you have been automatically enrolled in the annual increase program which will increase the amount you contribute to your 401(k) account by 1% each year until you are contributing 10% to the plan. The increase is effective on your step increase date or pay anniversary until you are contributing a total of 10% between pre-tax and/or Roth 401(k) contributions.

If you have reached your 13th year or higher of the seniority step pay increases, the 1% annual increase will occur on the anniversary of your seniority step increase date, until the 10% is reached.

If making pre-tax contributions, the 1% increase will apply to your pre-tax contribution percentage.

If you are making Roth 401(k) contributions, your Roth 401(k) percentage will increase instead.

If you are only making post tax contributions, the automatic increase will not apply. Post tax contributions are not included in this program.

If you are making both pre- and post-tax and/or Roth 401(k) contributions, your pre-tax and/or Roth 401(k) contributions will be increased until you are contributing a total of 10% between these two contribution types.


December 2022 Special COLA

Inflight Scheduling is accepting requests for a one-month Special COLA for the December 2022 schedule month. If interested, please submit a request through CCS > Leaves > Special COLA.

The deadline by which requests must be on file is Monday, November 14th at 0800 CT.

Note: To be awarded a Special COLA, you must be qualified to fly at the time of the Special COLA award. You are also required to maintain your qualifications while on the Special COLA.

For more information regarding Special COLAs please visit:

Flying Together > My Work > Crew Planning, Scheduling, and Administration > Crew Planning > COLAs, Job shares, and Partnership Awards. 

For further information, please send questions to Inflightcrewstaffing@united.com

Welcome Class 2234!

We are excited to welcome our newest flying partners from class 2234 as part of our Flight Attendant community. Our newest flying partners will begin their careers at bases in DEN, ORD, and IAD.

We encourage you to welcome each of them amiably, help them learn from your experience, and get them started on a path to success and adventure in their new career.

Please remember that our newest Members are on probation. To ensure that they receive the most accurate information to support them, direct them to their Local Council for assistance on Contractual issues.

And if you would like to become an AFA Buddy, reach out to your Local Council to learn how you can become part of this vital link to their success.

Reminders:

OCT – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
OCT – October 31, 2022 – Domestic Violence Awareness Month
OCT 23 – October 31, 2022 – First Round Vacation Bidding Period
OCT 25 – 26, 2022 - Fall 2022 Regular MEC Meeting, Hyatt Rosemont, IL
OCT 30 – Fall 2022p1 CBT Due at 2359 CT
NOV 8 – November 16, 2022 – Second Round Vacation Bidding Period
NOV 8 – Midterm Elections
NOV 14 – December 2022 Special COLA Requests Due at 0800 CT

<<<READ THE FULL BRIEF>>>

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