Open Enrollment

The enrollment period is always a good time to review your current benefit selections, and your covered dependents, to make sure your benefits are meeting your needs. Whether you have to do anything during open enrollment depends on if you want to change any of your benefits:

"I don’t want to change my benefits."

The flexible spending account (FSA) is the only employee benefit that you will lose in 2026 if you do not re-enroll. Your other benefits will stay the same if left untouched.

"I want to make changes to my benefits."

Browse the benefit tabs below to learn more specifics about each of the benefits and changes you can make.

Remember, some benefits can be added or updated throughout the year and you don’t have to wait for open enrollment.

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, some are designed to save you money and others to give you more flexibility. The plans available to you are based on where you live or work. Learn more about the medical plan options and 2026 rates at z.umn.edu/medicalbenefits.

The plans cover the same set of health care services, so you’ll want to pay attention to differences in provider networks, biweekly rates, and the out-of-pocket amounts that you pay up front, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Questions to consider as you review your options include:

• Does the plan meet the needs of you and your family? Some plans require everyone in the family to use the same healthcare network.
• Is your current doctor within the network?
• Do you want to choose a plan based on where you work or where you live?
• Are the associated costs—such as copays, deductibles, and rates—worthwhile given the benefits of the plan?
• Did you earn the wellbeing incentive for 2026? Keep in mind that if you change tiers, your incentive amount also changes.

Other resources:

• The 2026 Medical Plan Comparison gives you a side-by-side look at how each plan option covers medical services including everything from office visits to lab and x-ray services to prescription drugs to hospital services and more.
• Visit the Medica website to search for providers and more information to help you select a medical plan or call Customer Service at 952-992-1814 or 877-252-5558; TTY users, please call 711.

A health savings account (HSA) is available to any member of the Medica HSA medical plan. Unlike flexible spending account (FSA) funds, HSA funds roll over from year to year and can be used into retirement.

The University will contribute $750 for employee-only coverage, and $1,500 for coverage with dependents into the HSA in 2026. The amount is contributed over the number of pay periods remaining in the year. In addition, employees can contribute up to $3,650 for employee-only or $7,250 for dependent coverage per year.

Why is the deductible increasing for the Medica HSA medical plan, but not any other plans?
The deductible for the HSA medical plan is changing to $1,700 for employee-only coverage and $3,400 for family coverage. This is because the IRS announced new minimum HSA deductibles for 2026. In order for the University to continue to offer the HSA medical plan, the deductible has to increase to the IRS minimum.

Can I move from a health care FSA to an HSA for 2026?
Yes, but if you elect an HSA for 2026, IRS rules state that your health care FSA must have a zero balance on December 31, 2025. If you do not have a zero balance by the end of the year, you can't make or receive HSA contributions until the University's FSA grace period ends on April 1, 2026.

If I enroll in an HSA, can that affect my Medicare?
In some circumstances, there can be tax consequences related to Medicare coverage and HSA contributions. If you or your spouse are enrolled in an HSA and will have Medicare coverage in the next few years, contact Medicare to understand how it impacts you.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow you to use pre-tax dollars on routine expenses using either a health care FSA or a dependent care FSA.

To have an FSA in 2026, you must enroll during open enrollment, regardless of whether or not you currently have an FSA. FSAs do not automatically renew.

FSA basics, like eligible expenses, procedures for reimbursement, and more can be found on the Flexible Spending Account page.

Choosing your FSA Contribution:

Do you have questions about how to choose the right amount to contribute to an FSA? Make a strong decision using these guiding questions:

What does my household’s year look like as of now? 
Take a look at your household’s calendar and budget. What health and dependent care needs do you anticipate having in 2026, based on the information you have now? Compare your household’s needs to examples of eligible FSA expenses at z.umn.edu/flexspending.

What life changes would allow me to change my FSA election(s) during the year?
From your daycare closing, to your work hours changing, to a birth, adoption, or marriage in your family, there are many reasons you could change your FSA dollar amount throughout the year. It is possible, but the change must be a specific circumstance known as a life event, and it requires 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 2026 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 protects your family from a loss of income in the event of your death. Your University employment gives several life insurance options, all provided by Securian Financial. All full-time, benefits-eligible employees are automatically signed up for basic life insurance. Part-time employees (50% to 74% time) are eligible for basic life insurance but need to enroll and pay a premium. 

Every year during open enrollment, you can enroll in or cancel existing child life insurance coverage. You also have the chance to decrease or cancel your life insurance coverage by requesting a paper form by emailing [email protected]. The new insurance amount will be effective on January 1, 2026.

If you wish to enroll again or increase the amount of additional coverage for you or your spouse, this is not part of open enrollment and you will need to provide medical evidence of insurability (proof of good health).

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, 2026.

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.

Medicare-Eligible Medical Plans for Retirees and Disabled Participants

In order to provide more choices and help from Medicare experts, the University is transitioning Medicare-eligible coverage from a group plan to an individual marketplace, effective January 1, 2026. You must take action by December 31, 2025, to avoid any gaps or loss of coverage.

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

• 2026 Guide for Employees Eligible for Federal Benefits (PDF)