Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is a good time to review your benefits and covered dependents. What you need to do depends on whether you want to make changes.

"I don’t want to change my benefits."

If you don’t want to make changes, you don’t need to take action during open enrollment, with one exception: FSAs.

Want an FSA for 2027? You must enroll in an FSA each year. To have an FSA in 2027, you must enroll by November 30. Late FSA enrollment is not allowed.

Don’t want an FSA? Your other current benefit elections will carry over to 2027.

"I want to make changes to my benefits."

Review the benefit information below to learn what you can change and how to make your elections.

Some benefits can also be added or changed throughout the year. Visit Year-Round Changes to learn more.

"I am represented by AFSCME, LELS, or Teamsters."

Your collective bargaining agreement includes a negotiated base medical plan. In addition to the ACO, Choice National, or HSA plan, you’ll have two base plan options for 2027:

Both plans use the Elect/Essential or Choice Regional networks, depending on where you live or work.

If you’re currently enrolled in an Elect/Essential or Choice Regional plan and don’t make a change, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the CBA Base Plan for 2027.

Want to keep or start an FSA? You must actively enroll. FSA elections do not carry over.

Want to switch medical plans? Log in to MyU during open enrollment and select the University Base Plan or another medical plan.

Visit the How to Enroll walkthrough webpage for a step-by-step guide to benefit enrollment in MyU.

If you add new dependents, the Office of Human Resources will email you instructions for submitting the proper documentation to verify eligibility. You have about four weeks to provide proper documentation. If documentation isn’t received by the deadline, your dependents will be removed from benefits coverage.

Learn more about dependent eligibility on the Enrollment Overview webpage.

The University offers five medical plan options. Your available plans depend on where you live or work. Compare plan options and 2027 rates at z.umn.edu/medicalbenefits.

Don’t forget: If you are represented by AFSCME, LELS, or Teamsters, you also have the option to choose the CBA Base Plan for the Elect/Essential or Choice Regional networks.

All plans cover the same types of health care services, but they differ in provider networks, biweekly rates, copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

As you compare plans, consider:

• Your health care needs: Does the plan work for you and your family?
• Your providers: Is your doctor in the plan’s network?
• Where you live or work: Which network and plan options are available to you?
• Your wellbeing incentive: Did you earn the 2027 incentive? Your incentive amount may change if you change coverage tiers.

Resources:

• 2027 Medical Plan Comparison: Compare coverage and costs across plans.
• 2027 CBA Medical Plan Comparison: If you are represented by AFSCME, LELS or Teamsters, review this comparison for CBA Base Plan details.
• Medica: Search for providers and get help choosing a plan. You can also call Customer Service at 952-992-1814 or 877-252-5558 (TTY: 711).

If you enroll in the HSA medical plan, you can open and contribute to a health savings account (HSA). HSA funds roll over from year to year and can be used in retirement.

In 2027:

• The University will contribute $750 for employee-only coverage or $1,500 for coverage with dependents.
• You can contribute up to $3,750 for employee-only coverage or $7,500 for coverage with dependents.

University contributions are spread across the pay periods remaining in the year.

Moving from an FSA to an HSA?
If you have a healthcare FSA in 2026 and elect an HSA for 2027, your FSA balance must be $0 by December 31, 2026. If you have an FSA balance after that date, IRS rules may prevent you and the University from making HSA contributions until the FSA grace period ends.

Enrolled in or planning for Medicare?
Medicare enrollment can affect your eligibility to contribute to an HSA and may have tax implications. If you or your spouse are enrolled in an HSA and expect to enroll in Medicare, contact Medicare to understand how it may affect you.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) let you use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.

To have an FSA in 2027, you must enroll during Open Enrollment — even if you currently have an FSA. FSA elections do not automatically renew because of IRS rules.

Learn more about eligible expenses, reimbursement and other FSA basics on the Flexible Spending Account page.

Choosing your FSA Contribution:

Not sure how much to contribute? Consider:

What expenses do I expect in 2027?
Review your household’s budget and calendar. Think about the health care and dependent care expenses you expect to have and compare them with examples of eligible expenses at z.umn.edu/flexspending.

Could my FSA needs change during the year?
Certain life events (such as a change in work hours, a change in child care, birth, adoption or marriage) may allow you to change your FSA election during the year. Changes require a qualifying life event and supporting documentation.

​​During open enrollment, you may join a dental plan, change your plan, cancel your existing coverage, and add or remove dependents. You can choose a dental plan based on where you live or work, and see if your preferred providers and services are in-network. At the University, dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental. 

The University offers two dental plan options. Learn more about the dental plan options and 2027 rates at z.umn.edu/dentalbenefits. See the Dental Plan Availability and Comparison for the coverage levels by plan and Minnesota county.

Research the plans to see which one meets the needs of you and your family. Since the plans cover the same types of dental care services, you’ll want to pay attention to out-of-pocket costs and whether your current dentist is in your plan’s network. 

Questions? Search providers and services or speak to a live Delta Dental representative using Delta Dental’s U of M web portal.

Life insurance can help protect your family financially if you die. The University offers several life insurance options through Securian Financial.

• Full-time benefits-eligible employees: Automatically enrolled in basic life insurance.
• Part-time employees (50%–74%): Eligible for basic life insurance but must enroll and pay a premium.

During open enrollment, you can:

• Enroll in or cancel child life insurance.
• Take advantage of a special guaranteed issue opportunity to enroll in or increase your employee additional life insurance without providing evidence of insurability.
• Decrease or cancel your life insurance coverage by requesting a paper form from [email protected]. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Note: Increasing or enrolling in additional life insurance for your spouse is not part of open enrollment and requires evidence of insurability.

Special Opportunity: Employee Additional Life

During this Open Enrollment, you can enroll in or increase your employee additional life insurance by $1,000 increments, up to $25,000, without providing evidence of insurability. Your total additional life insurance cannot exceed $1 million.

For example:

• If you have $0 in coverage, you can elect up to $25,000.
• If you have $950,000, you can add up to $25,000, for a total of $975,000.
• If you have $980,000, you can add up to $20,000, reaching the $1 million maximum.

If you’re away from work due to illness and injury, bills could start piling up. Disability coverage can provide continued income if you are unable to work for an extended period of time, allowing you to pay bills and loans.

Depending on your position at the University, different disability benefits are available for you. Use this University Disability Programs overview to determine your benefit options. Note that voluntary short-term and long-term disability require enrollment, and academic disability does not.

Voluntary short-term disability: During open enrollment, you can increase your existing short-term disability coverage by $100 or $200 without evidence of good health, not to exceed the maximum, or cancel your existing coverage. You can view rates and get more information at z.umn.edu/shortdisability.

If you do not have existing coverage and want to apply, or to add more than $200 in coverage, use this separate Voluntary Disability Enrollment Form rather than the MyU Portal.

Voluntary long-term disability: During open enrollment, you can begin, decrease, increase, or cancel long-term disability insurance coverage if you are a Civil Service or Labor-Represented employee or Faculty and P&A working 50-67% time.

To learn more about enrolling in long-term disability coverage, or increasing existing coverage, view rules and restrictions at z.umn.edu/longdisability.

The new insurance amount will be effective on January 1, 2027.

If you are retiring in the next year, consider the implications for your benefits, including dependent coverage and impacts to FSAs and HSAs. Visit the Preparing for Retirement webpage for more information.

Dental plans for all retirees are the same as those for active employees, but the retiree will pay the whole monthly premium. Learn more about your medical options below or download the Enrollment Guide for Retirees and Disabled Participants (PDF).

Non-Medicare-Eligible Retiree Medical Plans

Medical plans for retirees under 65 are the same as those for active employees, though the retiree will pay the whole monthly premium.

During open enrollment, you may change or cancel coverage using this form.

If you do not want to make changes, you do not need to submit the form.

Medicare-Eligible Medical Plans for Retirees and Disabled Participants

Medicare open enrollment is October 15–December 7.

If you, your spouse, or a dependent are going to be Medicare eligible by January 1, call Via Benefits at 1‑833-858-4544 or visit my.viabenefits.com/UofM to schedule an appointment. A benefits advisor who specializes in Medicare will work with you to explore plans that meet your needs, including options that may lower your annual out-of-pocket costs compared to your current plan.

Note: You can also shop for coverage and enroll on your own using the Via Benefits website.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Family members and friends are welcome to join the appointment with you.
• Allow at least one hour for the appointment.
• Save time by completing your profile online at my.viabenefits.com/UofM. You can add your providers, pharmacies, prescriptions, and any health concerns so that your advisor can consider these when matching you to your coverage options.

Social Security

Learn about Social Security benefits, including Medicare registration, as you plan your retirement. Get started with these materials:

• Social Security in Retirement
• Plan for Retirement

• 2027 Guide for Employees Eligible for Federal Benefits (PDF)