Benefit deductions in Deel Payroll - US are configured in different ways depending on what you need to set up. Some changes are self-serve; others require your Deel Payroll Implementation Manager (PIM).
This guide covers recurring payroll items, G2N item setup, and 401(k) plan configuration.
In this Article
Adding recurring payroll items
Adding recurring items for multiple employees at once
Editing or ending a recurring item
What to do if a payroll item is missing
401(k) plan setup and configuration
Which method do you need?
| What you're setting up | Who does it |
|---|---|
| Recurring deductions (premiums, allowances, reimbursements) | Self-serve |
| New G2N earnings or deduction lines | Deel PIM team |
| 401(k) plan setup, enrollment, or match logic | Deel PIM team |
Adding recurring payroll items
Recurring payroll items are standard, repeating deductions or additions — such as benefit premiums, dependent deductions, allowances, or reimbursements — that apply each pay cycle.
Method 1 — From the employee's contract
- Go to People and select the employee.
- Click View Agreement.
- Scroll to Recurring Payroll Items and click Add.
- Select the Payroll Item (e.g., Medical Insurance – Dependents).
- Enter the Amount, Start date, and an optional End date.
- Click Save. The deduction applies from the next open payroll cycle.
Method 2 — From the payroll report
- Open the payroll report for an open cycle.
- Click the employee's name to open their details drawer.
- Find the item and click Make it Recurring.
- Fill in the recurring item form (same fields as Method 1).
Adding recurring items for multiple employees at once
In the payroll report, click the three dots (⋮) near Bulk Edit → Set Recurring.
Toggle on recurring for all employees sharing the same amount and start date — or edit individual values first, then use Use Current Amount to set each employee's current value as recurring.
Editing or ending a recurring item
- Edit amount or dates: Open the employee record → Recurring Payroll Items → ⋮ → Edit
- Change end date only: ⋮ → Change End Date
- Delete entirely: ⋮ → Delete (removes the item from all future cycles)
- Bulk update: People tab → ⋮ → Bulk Edit Payroll Contracts → download the CSV, edit values, and re-upload
Note: To change an amount already in progress, set an end date on the current item first — then create a new recurring item with the updated amount. End dates cannot be set in the past.
What to do if a payroll item is missing
- Go to Settings → Entity page → Deel Payroll tab.
- Click View Report Settings.
- Click Manage under Payroll Report.
- Toggle on the missing payroll items.
G2N item setup
G2N (Gross-to-Net) items define the earnings and deduction lines that appear on employee payslips. Clients cannot add G2N items directly — these are set up by Deel's PIM team during onboarding or on request.
How to request a new G2N item
- Contact your Deel PIM or submit a Payroll Request.
- Specify the item name (e.g., Medical Insurance – Dependents).
- The PIM adds it via Admin once the payroll schedule is confirmed.
Note: Always enter G2N deduction values as positive amounts. These items are pre-configured as deductions — a negative value converts them into a net addition on the employee's pay.
Setting up dependent benefit deductions
Use this workflow when an employee adds a dependent to their medical plan and you need to set up the employee-portion deduction in payroll.
Step 1 - Request new G2N items from your PIM
Ask your PIM to add the relevant items (e.g., Medical Insurance (Dependents), Vision Insurance (Dependents), Dental Insurance (Dependents)).
These are pre-configured as deductions.
Step 2 - PIM adds the items
The PIM adds items via Admin → Entity → G2N Mappings → Add G2N Item. The payroll schedule must be set before this step can be completed.
Step 3 - Set up recurring items for affected employees
Once items appear in your payroll report, add them as recurring payroll items on each affected employee's contract. Enter the employee-portion amount as a positive value.
Editing or hiding a G2N item
- Rename: Request via your PIM. Only the display name can be changed — the underlying type cannot be modified.
- Hide: Contact your PIM before requesting this. Hiding a G2N item is permanent and cannot be undone.
401(k) Plan Setup and Configuration
401(k) plans are configured by Deel's PIM team in the Benefits section of your Deel portal. You cannot configure these plans directly. G2N items for 401(k) must be set up before the plan can be configured.
Information your PIM needs
- Which earnings are eligible for the 401(k) calculation (e.g., Regular Pay, Commission, Bonus)
- Employee contribution logic: fixed $ amount or % of gross, plus the rate or amount
- Employer contribution logic: % of employee contribution or fixed amount, including any cap
- Split between Traditional and Roth contributions (e.g., 70% Traditional / 30% Roth)
- Employer contribution limit per payroll or per year (if applicable)
Required G2N items for 401(k)
Both the dollar ($) and percentage (%) variants are required for each plan type — even if your plan only uses one.
| Plan type | Party | G2N item ($ amount) | G2N item (% rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional 401(k) | Employer (ER) | 401k Trad $ | 401k Trad % |
| Traditional 401(k) | Employee (EE) | 401k Trad $ | 401k Trad % |
| Roth 401(k) | Employer (ER) | 401k Roth $ | 401k Roth % |
| Roth 401(k) | Employee (EE) | 401k Roth $ | 401k Roth % |
Frequently Asked Questions
[ACCORDION] Can I add G2N items myself?
No. G2N items must be added by Deel's PIM team. Contact your PIM or submit a Payroll Request to have new items created.
[ACCORDION] Why can't I set an end date in the past?
Deel does not allow retroactive end dates. The earliest possible end date is today. If you need to stop a deduction retroactively, contact your PIM.
[ACCORDION] What happens if I enter a negative value for a G2N deduction item?
A negative value reverses the pre-configured deduction behavior and adds to the employee's net pay instead of deducting from it. Always enter a positive dollar amount for deduction items.
[ACCORDION] Can I hide a G2N item and reverse it later?
No. Hiding a G2N item is permanent and cannot be undone. Contact your PIM to discuss the impact before requesting this action.
[ACCORDION] How does bi-monthly payroll affect recurring items?
Bi-monthly entities can choose which cycle a recurring item applies to: Every Cycle, First Cycle Only, or Last Cycle Only.
[ACCORDION] Do I need both the $ and % G2N variants for 401(k) even if we only use one?
Yes. Both variants must be configured before the 401(k) plan can be set up, regardless of which your plan uses.