Glossary Terms
Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms
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Biweekly Pay

Biweekly pay is a pay schedule in which employees are paid every two weeks, typically on the same day of the week. This is also known as a fortnightly pay schedule. Biweekly pay results in 26 pay periods per year, with employees receiving 52 paychecks over the course of two years. 

This is different from weekly pay, in which employees are paid every week, and monthly pay, in which employees are paid once a month. Biweekly pay is a common pay schedule in many industries, including retail, hospitality, and healthcare.

What is biweekly pay?

Biweekly pay is a pay schedule in which employees are paid every two weeks, usually on a designated day of the week. This is also known as fortnightly pay.

How is biweekly pay different from other pay schedules?

Biweekly pay is different from weekly pay, in which employees are paid every week, and monthly pay, in which employees are paid once a month. Biweekly pay results in 26 pay periods per year, as opposed to 52 for weekly pay and 12 for monthly pay.

What are the advantages of biweekly pay?

One advantage of biweekly pay is that it allows for better cash flow management, as employees receive paychecks more frequently. Biweekly pay also simplifies payroll processing for 

employers, as it reduces the number of pay runs they need to process each year.

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What are the disadvantages of biweekly pay?

One disadvantage of biweekly pay is that employees may have difficulty budgeting their finances, as they receive paychecks less frequently than with weekly pay. Biweekly pay can also result in two months of the year in which employees receive three paychecks instead of two, which can impact budgeting and planning.

Is biweekly pay common?

Yes, biweekly pay is a common pay schedule in many industries, including retail, hospitality, and healthcare.

How is biweekly pay calculated?

Biweekly pay is calculated by taking an employee's annual salary or hourly rate and dividing it by 26, which is the number of pay periods per year.

Are taxes and other deductions taken out of biweekly paychecks?

Yes, taxes and other deductions, such as social security and Medicare contributions, are taken out of biweekly paychecks in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

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