With biweekly pay, you receive 26 paychecks per year instead of 24 with semi-monthly pay. This means you get two "extra" paychecks per year, which can help with budgeting and savings goals.

Biweekly pay occurs every 14 days (26 times per year), while semi-monthly pay occurs twice per month (24 times per year). Biweekly paychecks are slightly smaller but you get two extra paychecks annually.

Budget based on 24 paychecks per year (two per month) and treat the two "extra" paychecks as bonuses for savings, debt payment, or emergency fund contributions. This creates a built-in savings mechanism.

Tax withholding is calculated per paycheck based on your annual income and filing status. The IRS withholding tables account for your pay frequency, so your annual tax burden remains the same regardless of whether you're paid biweekly or monthly.

Benefits include more frequent cash flow, easier budgeting for weekly expenses, two "bonus" paychecks per year, and better alignment with weekly bill cycles. Many employees find it easier to manage their finances with more frequent pay periods.

Overtime is calculated based on hours worked over 40 in a single workweek, not per pay period. Since biweekly pay periods cover two weeks, you could have overtime in one week and regular time in the other within the same pay period.

Yes, benefit deductions are spread across 26 pay periods instead of 24, making each deduction slightly smaller. However, your annual benefit costs remain the same. Some months you'll have three deductions instead of two.

Use the two extra paychecks strategically: build your emergency fund, pay down debt, contribute to retirement accounts, or save for large purchases. Since your budget shouldn't rely on these paychecks, they're perfect for financial goals.

Divide your annual salary by 26 (the number of biweekly pay periods in a year). For example, a $65,000 salary ÷ 26 = $2,500 gross biweekly pay. Then subtract taxes and deductions to get your net biweekly pay.

Biweekly pay occurs every 14 days (26 times per year), while semi-monthly pay occurs twice per month (24 times per year). Biweekly provides two "extra" paychecks annually and maintains consistent day-of-week payment, while semi-monthly aligns with calendar months.

Budget based on 24 paychecks per year (2 per month) and treat the 2 extra paychecks as bonuses for savings or debt payoff. Multiply your biweekly pay by 2.17 to get your monthly income equivalent for budgeting purposes.

The timing depends on your pay start date, but typically occurs twice per year. For example, if you're paid every other Friday, you'll have 3 Fridays in some months. Plan ahead for these months to maximize the benefit of extra income.

Overtime is calculated separately for each week within the biweekly period. If you work over 40 hours in either week, those excess hours are paid at overtime rate (typically 1.5x). The two weeks are then combined for your total biweekly pay.

Tax withholding is calculated by annualizing your biweekly pay (multiplying by 26) and then applying the appropriate tax rates. This ensures consistent withholding regardless of pay frequency. Your annual tax liability remains the same.

Multiply your hourly wage by the number of hours you work in a 2-week period. For full-time work, this is typically 80 hours (40 hours × 2 weeks). Add any overtime hours at the premium rate (usually 1.5x your regular hourly rate).

Common deductions include federal income tax, state income tax (if applicable), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, and other voluntary deductions. Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income.