Welcome to the Benefits Enrollment page at the University of Iowa. This section is dedicated to guiding you through enrolling in your benefits package. Whether you're a new hire or making changes due to life events, you'll find all the necessary information and steps to ensure your benefits are tailored to your needs.

Our goal is to make the enrollment process as straightforward and informative as possible, helping you to secure the coverage and support you deserve. Let's begin your journey to enrolling in your benefits with confidence!

Before You Enroll

Two-Step Login

Before you begin, make sure you have set up your two-step login with Duo Security. 

Gather Personal Info

Gather personal information for each person you are enrolling.

This includes full legal names, birth dates, and social security numbers for each dependent.

HawkID or HealthCare ID & Password

You will need your HawkID or HealthCare ID to log in to Employee Self-Service.

How to Enroll in Your Benefits Online

To complete your benefit elections online, follow the steps outlined below:

  1. Log in to Employee Self-Service
    Go to hris.uiowa.edu and sign in using your HawkID and password.
    If you experience login issues, use the "Forgot Password" link or contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance.
  2. Navigate to the Benefits Enrollment Section
    From the main menu, select:
    Benefits & Wellness ⇢ Benefits ⇢ Benefits Enrollment
  3. Start Your Enrollment
    Choose the link labeled:
    "OPEN - Edit Your Benefit Elections" to begin.
  4. Review Important Information
    On the next screen, you will see an Important Information section. Please read this carefully before proceeding.
  5. Agree and Continue
    In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click the black button labeled:
    "I Agree - View and Update Dependents/Beneficiaries."
    Select the "Adding/Updating Dependents and Beneficiaries" accordion below for more instructions.

Adding/Updating Dependents and Beneficiaries

Adding/Updating Dependents and Beneficiaries

Adding and verifying your dependent and beneficiary information is the first step in completing your enrollment. 

If you plan to include dependents in your coverage, you must complete this step first; otherwise, they will not appear on the enrollment form and cannot be added. 

If you do not see your dependent or beneficiary listed under "Dependents/Beneficiaries Not Covered", you must exit the enrollment screen and follow the steps outlined below.

  1. Select the black button labeled "I Agree—View & Update Dependents/Beneficiaries." 
  2.  "Review Dependents/Beneficiaries" screen:
    • To add a new dependent or beneficiary, select the blue "Add New Dependent/Beneficiary" button at the bottom of the page.
    • On the next screen, "Change Dependents/Beneficiaries," you will be prompted to enter the dependent's legal first and last name, relationship to you (e.g., child, spouse, sibling), date of birth, sex, and social security number. Once completed, select the "Submit" button.
    • You will continue this process until you add all dependents you want to cover on insurance and any additional beneficiaries. Then, you will return to the main Benefits Enrollment screen, and you can then select the gold button labeled "I Agree - Continue to Benefits Enrollment."
  3. For current employees with an established list of dependents and beneficiaries already, you should review the list to ensure it is up-to-date. 

Dependents

Children may be covered by health and dental insurance until the end of the calendar year when they turn 26 without tax implications. Coverage for single children who are full-time students or disabled can continue as long as they remain in that status.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has determined that if an employer allows employees to insure dependent children past the age of 26 who do not qualify as the employee’s tax dependents, there is a value that must be added to the employee’s taxable salary when reporting income earned on the annual W-2.

Taxable health and dental information for Faculty and Staff

Beneficiaries

Check to make sure the beneficiaries listed are correct. You can make any additions at this time. Later in enrollment, you will be asked to assign beneficiaries when selecting eligible insurance plans. Anyone you plan to designate as a beneficiary must appear on this list.

To correct beneficiary or dependent information, permanently delete a beneficiary, or if a beneficiary is not appearing under a benefit area where you want to cover them, please contact the University Benefits office.

As you are enrolling online, there are a few things to remember:

  • You will always be the beneficiary of Spouse and Dependent Life Insurance.
  • Life insurance proceeds are divided between primary beneficiaries. Contingent beneficiaries only receive proceeds if there are no living primary beneficiaries.

Final Steps: Electing Your Benefits

Now that you've finished adding, changing, or removing your dependents and beneficiaries, it's time to complete your benefit elections. 

  1. Return to the List of Open Events
    After saving your dependent and beneficiary updates, you'll be directed back to the Open Events page.
  2. Begin Your Benefit Elections
    Choose the link labeled:
    "OPEN - Edit Your Benefit Elections"
  3. Agree to Continue
    On the Benefits Enrollment screen, locate the gold button in the bottom-left corner.
    Select "I agree - Continue to Benefits Enrollment"
  4. Begin Electing Your Benefits
    On the next screen, you'll begin selecting your benefit options.
    You'll also assign your dependents and beneficiaries to the appropriate coverage plans.
  5. Explore Each Benefit Option
    Use the menu at the top of the page to navigate through each benefit category (e.g., health, dental, life insurance).
    Each section includes general enrollment instructions to help guide your choices. 
Office-Workplace

University Benefits

Phone
Address

University of Iowa
120 University Services Building
1 W. Prentiss Street
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States