Contribution Submission

Key Takeaway

Submitting contributions to Alerus is easy. Follow the steps below for uploading or manually entering your contribution files.

Upload Instructions

  1. 1

    Log In To Employer Plan Access

    Log into My Alerus. If you need help logging in, visit Employer Plan Access.

  2. 2

    Contribution Submission

    • Under Manage My Contributions, select Contribution Submission.
    • Click Add New Contribution. Select the appropriate frequency and the payroll date for the file you are uploading and click Create. Note: if you do not see the correct frequency, select Add Frequency to create what you need.
  3. 3

    Select Import Options

    Choose Import Method. Choose Upload to attach a file. Choose Entry to enter a contribution by a participant in real-time, no spreadsheet is required (see Entry Instructions).

  4. 4

    Contribution File Submission

    • Select Browse to attach a file and enter Source Totals.
    • Click Validate.
      • If the Next button is available, select Next and proceed to step 5.
      • If the Next button is not available there is a data reject. Review Validation Results at the bottom of the page for details about the rejects and warnings.
    • When all rejects have been corrected and warnings reviewed, upload a new file (if necessary) and click Validate. Then click Next.

    Common Data Rejects and How To Resolve

    • Reject data — fix date issue in the file. Upload the file again and validate. Common date issues include:
      • Word in a date column
      • Date of birth after date of hire
      • Date of birth in the future
    • Entered total does not match actual — the amount entered for the source totals does not match the total that was actually uploaded on the file
      • Verify totals were entered correctly, fix as necessary including any rounding.
      • Verify the correct file was uploaded.
    • Invalid Social Security number (SSN)
      • Any SSN with six or more of the same number is invalid
      • Any SSN with less than four numbers will be rejected

    Common Data Inconsistency Warnings

    Participant ID not found. This warns you that a new participant is being added. Verify the participant is indeed new and click Next.

  5. 5

    Select Funding

    • The funding option drop-down will include ACH, wire, and check. Select the funding type and click Save.
    • Verify all data is correct and click Next.
  6. 6

    Verification

    The verification step provides a final review of the submission. Verify all data is correct and click Finish.

  7. 7

    Confirmation

    “Your contribution has been successfully received” should be displayed. To view and/or print the confirmation, click the PDF icon.

Entry Instructions

  1. 1

    Log In To Employer Plan Access

    Log into My Alerus. If you need help logging in, visit Employer Plan Access.

  2. 2

    Contribution Submission

    • Under Manage My Contributions, select Contribution Submission.
    • Click Add New Contribution. Select the appropriate frequency and the payroll date for the file you are uploading and click Create. Note: if you do not see the correct frequency, select Add Frequency to create what you need.
  3. 3

    Select Import Options

    Choose Import Method. Choose Upload to attach a file. Choose Entry to enter a contribution by a participant in real-time, no spreadsheet is required (see Entry Instructions).

  4. 4

    Contribution Submission Entry

    Select data to import and click Next.

  5. 5

    Select Participants

    Select all available participants or specific participants by using the checkbox at the end of each participant row. The Status and Division columns have filter ability. Select participants based on status or division. Then click Next.

  6. 6

    Select Sources

    • The available sources are displayed. Next to each source being submitted, enter the total amount then click Save.
    • All sources selected will be displayed in a box below the selection. If that source should no longer be included, please click the X in the corner of the box.
    • The boxes can be moved! Sources will display in the same order the boxes appear. Drag and drop the boxes in the order you want to see the source columns.
    • Click Next.
  7. 7

    Contribution Entry

    • The list of participants selected in step 5 and sources selected in step 6 are displayed. Enter the amount for each participant’s contribution in each source.
    • Verify all data is correct and click Next.
  8. 8

    Select Funding

    • The funding option drop-down will include ACH, wire, and check. Select the funding type and click.
    • Verify all data is correct and click Next.
  9. 9

    Verification

    The verification step provides a final review of the submission. Verify all data is correct and click Finish.

  10. 10

    Confirmation

    “Your contribution has been successfully received” should be displayed. To print the confirmation for future reference, click the PDF icon. Note: prior batches may be copied on the Contribution Review page by clicking the Copy button.

Additional Resources