Target's Payment Methods and How They Work

Target processes employee paychecks through direct deposit to a bank account you designate during onboarding, or by paper check if you request it. Direct deposit is the standard method and typically hits your account on the same day as payroll processing, which occurs weekly for most store and distribution center staff. You can change your direct deposit information through the Workday portal, which Target uses to manage payroll and benefits enrollment.

If you choose paper check instead, Target mails it to the address on file, which means you'll receive it several days after the payroll date. Some Target locations also offer paycheck pickup at the store if you need cash before your bank processes the deposit. The amount on your check reflects your gross pay minus federal and state tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and any voluntary deductions you've authorized—such as health insurance premiums or 401(k) contributions.

Key Takeaways

  • Target pays most employees weekly through direct deposit, with funds typically arriving the same day payroll processes.
  • You can change your direct deposit bank account or switch to paper checks through Workday, Target's employee portal.
  • Your paycheck deducts federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and any benefits premiums or retirement contributions you've chosen.
  • Part-time and full-time employees receive the same payment schedule, though hours worked determine your gross pay.
  • Target's benefits package—health insurance, 401(k), paid time off—begins on your first day for most positions.

What Benefits Target Offers and When They Start

Target offers health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off (PTO), and other benefits to both full-time and part-time employees. Health insurance coverage—medical, dental, and vision—begins on your first day of employment, though you have a limited window (usually 30 days) to enroll during your initial may be able to access period. If you don't enroll when you're first hired, you'll have to wait until the annual open enrollment period in the fall to make changes, unless you experience a may have access to life event like marriage or birth of a child.

The 401(k) plan is also available when ready, and Target matches a percentage of your contributions up to a certain amount—the exact match varies by year but is typically 3 to 4 percent of your salary. You decide how much to contribute through Workday, and those contributions are deducted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated. Paid time off accrues based on your tenure and position; part-time employees accrue PTO at a slower rate than full-time staff, and the accrual rate increases after you've worked at Target for a certain number of years.

How to Enroll in Benefits and Make Changes

Target uses Workday as the central hub for all benefits enrollment and payroll management. When you're hired, you'll receive login credentials and instructions to complete your enrollment during your first 30 days. You'll select your health insurance plan (if you're part-time, you may have fewer options than full-time employees), choose your 401(k) contribution amount, and designate your direct deposit bank account. This enrollment window is critical—missing it means waiting until the next open enrollment period to change your selections.

After your initial enrollment, you can update your information during Target's annual open enrollment period, which typically runs in the fall. You can also make changes outside of open enrollment if you have a may have access to event: marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of other health coverage, or a significant change in income. To report a may have access to event, contact Target's benefits team through Workday or speak with your store's human resources representative. Changes made outside of open enrollment usually take effect within 30 to 60 days.

Understanding Your Pay Stub and Deductions

Your Target pay stub, viewable through Workday, shows your gross pay (total earnings before deductions), all taxes withheld, and any voluntary deductions you've authorized. Federal income tax withholding is based on the W-4 form you completed when hired; if you claim too many exemptions, you'll owe money at tax time, and if you claim too few, you'll receive a refund. Social Security and Medicare taxes are fixed percentages (6.2 percent and 1.45 percent respectively) and are matched by Target.

Voluntary deductions appear separately and include health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, and any other benefits you've enrolled in. If you contribute to a traditional 401(k), that money is deducted before federal income tax is calculated, which lowers your taxable income for the year. If you've chosen a Roth 401(k) instead, contributions are deducted after taxes, meaning you pay taxes now but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Your pay stub also shows year-to-date totals for all earnings and deductions, which you'll need when filing your tax return.

Target's 401(k) Plan and Retirement Savings

Target's 401(k) is a defined-contribution retirement plan, meaning your retirement savings depend on how much you contribute and how your investments perform. You choose from a menu of investment options—typically mutual funds and target-date funds—and your contributions are invested according to your selections. Target matches a percentage of your contributions, usually 3 to 4 percent of your salary, which is information programs added to your account. You become fully vested in Target's matching contributions after a certain period (typically three to five years), meaning you keep the match even if you leave the company.

You can contribute up to the annual IRS limit (which changes yearly and is currently $23,500 for those under 50), though most employees contribute a smaller percentage of their salary. If you leave Target before retirement, you can roll your 401(k) balance into an IRA or another employer's plan, or leave it with Target's plan administrator if your balance is above a certain threshold. Target also offers a Roth 401(k) option, which allows after-tax contributions but provides tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

Paid Time Off and How It Accrues

Target's paid time off policy combines vacation, sick leave, and personal days into a single PTO bank that you can use for any reason. Full-time employees accrue PTO at a faster rate than part-time employees, and your accrual rate increases after you've completed certain tenure milestones (typically at one year, three years, and five years). Part-time employees might accrue 0.5 hours per week worked, while full-time employees accrue 1 to 2 hours per week, depending on tenure. Your PTO balance appears on your pay stub and in Workday, where you can also request time off.

Most Target locations allow you to carry over unused PTO into the next year, though there's usually a cap on how much you can accumulate. If you leave Target, you're paid out for any unused PTO in your final paycheck, though the payout rules vary slightly by state. Some states require payout of all accrued PTO, while others allow employers to cap the payout amount. Check your state's labor laws or ask your HR representative if you're unsure how your PTO will be handled when you leave.

Other Benefits: Health Insurance, Dental, and Vision

Target offers medical, dental, and vision insurance to all employees starting on day one. Medical plans typically include options at different cost levels—a lower-premium plan with higher out-of-pocket costs and a higher-premium plan with lower deductibles and copays. Dental and vision are usually offered as separate plans, and you can choose to enroll in one, both, or neither depending on your needs. Part-time employees may have fewer plan options than full-time staff, and premiums are deducted from your paycheck before taxes.

Target also offers other benefits that vary by location and employment status: life insurance, disability coverage, an employee discount (usually 10 percent on most items), and access to an employee information program (EAP) that provides confidential counseling and support services. Some locations offer tuition reimbursement or educational benefits, and Target has partnered with educational institutions to offer discounted or free college courses to may be able to access employees. Details on these additional benefits are provided during onboarding and are available through Workday or your HR representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my first paycheck arrive after I'm hired?

Your first paycheck typically arrives one to two weeks after your hire date, depending on when your first pay period ends and how long payroll processing takes. If you set up direct deposit during onboarding, the funds will deposit directly to your bank account. If you chose paper check, it will be mailed to your address on file and may take several additional days to arrive.

Can I change my direct deposit information after I'm hired?

Yes, you can update your direct deposit bank account anytime through Workday. Changes usually take effect within one to two pay periods. If you need the change to happen when ready, contact your store's HR office or Target's payroll team to see if they can expedite it.

What happens to my 401(k) if I leave Target?

You keep your 401(k) balance and can roll it into an IRA, another employer's retirement plan, or leave it with Target's plan administrator. You're vested in your own contributions when ready, but Target's matching contributions vest over time (usually three to five years). If you leave before becoming fully vested, you forfeit the unvested portion of the match.

Do part-time employees get the same benefits as full-time employees?

Part-time and full-time employees both receive health insurance, 401(k), and PTO starting on day one. However, part-time employees typically accrue PTO at a slower rate, may have fewer health insurance plan options, and may not be may be able to access for certain benefits like tuition reimbursement. Check with your HR representative about which benefits explore to your specific position.

How do I report a change in my personal situation for benefits?

Report may have access to events—marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or loss of other coverage—through Workday or by contacting your store's HR office. You usually have 30 to 60 days from the event to report it and make changes to your benefits. Changes made outside of open enrollment take effect within 30 to 60 days.