Annual Open Enrollment 2026

Your Benefits. Your Future.

Enrollment Period: Oct. 31 - Nov. 14, 2025

This is your annual opportunity to select or update your benefits for the upcoming year. Changes made during this period will take effect January 1, 2026.

Overview: Annual Open Enrollment 2026

Welcome to the Annual Open Enrollment period for the 2026 benefits plan year. This is an important time for all benefit-eligible employees to review their current benefit elections and make any necessary updates to ensure coverage that best meets their needs and those of their families.

Open Enrollment provides an opportunity to:

Enroll in or make changes to medical, dental, and voluntary benefits.
Review and update dependent information.
Elect or adjust contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), if applicable.

Quick Links

What's Changing? Resources

Oct. 31

Open Enrollment Begins

Employees can begin electing 2026 benefits in Employee Self-Service.

Nov. 14

Open Enrollment Ends

Last day to make changes to your benefits for 2026.

Jan. 1

2026 Changes Take Effect

New coverage and premiums begin for plan year 2026.

Key Changes to Your 2026 Benefits

In 2026, updates to your health, dental, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits will include increased health plan premiums and higher medical out-of-pocket maximums for both plan options. The Dental II plan will see increases in premiums and Tier 2 and Tier 3 deductibles. Additionally, FSA contribution limits will increase for both health care and dependent care accounts. For full details, important deadlines, and enrollment tips, refer to the 2026 Open Enrollment Guide linked below!

Prepare for Open Enrollment 2026

Find all of your open enrollment details, deadlines, and helpful enrollment tips and checklists.

What's New Guide 2026 (PDF)

2026 Monthly Premium Rates

Monthly premium rates are effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026

Health Premium Rates

Coverage Option	UIChoice	uiselect
Single	$95	$0
Employee + Spouse	$456	$325
Employee + Child	$372	$266
Family	$488	$349
Double Spouse Family	$244	$0

Dental II Premium Rates

Coverage Option	Dental II
Single	$0
Employee + Spouse	$21.90
Employee + Child	$23
Family	$30.80
Double Spouse Family	$0

Domestic Partner Rates Temporary Staff Rates Adult Children Rates

COBRA Rates

2026 Plan Provision Changes

All changes will take effect on January 1, 2026

Health Plan OPMs Increasing

In 2026, there will be an increase in the medical out-of-pocket maximums (OPM) for both UIChoice and UISelect:

2026 UIChoice OPMs

Levels 1 and 2: $2,300 single / $4,600 family
Level 3: $3,000 single / $6,000 family

2026 UISelect OPMs

Level 1: $2,700 single / $4,700 family
Level 2: $4,100 single / $8,100 family

Dental Deductibles Increasing

In 2026, there will be a plan deductible increase for Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers:

Dental II Deductibles:

Tier 2 - Delta Dental Premier Providers: $30 deductible
Tier 3 - Non-participating providers: $50 deductible

Reminder: These deductibles do not apply toward preventive care such as teeth cleanings, check-ups, or orthodontics.

2026 Flexible Spending Accounts

As you review your benefits for 2026, consider enrolling in a Health Care FSA to cover expected out-of-pocket costs—like deductibles, copays, prescriptions, and dental or vision expenses—with pre-tax dollars.

$ 3,300

2026 Health Care FSA

The maximum contribution limit per UI employee is increasing for 2026.

$ 7,500

2026 Dependent Care FSA

The maximum contribution per household is increasing for the first time since 1986.

Decisions to Make During Open Enrollment

The University Benefits Office advises all eligible employees to access Employee Self-Service to review their current benefit elections and personal information, regardless of whether they intend to make changes. Here are our top reasons why this review is essential:

Compare Health Plan Changes

In 2026, monthly premium rates for both UIChoice and UISelect health plans will increase, along with the medical out-of-pocket maximums. This is an ideal time to review and compare plan options to ensure you select the best coverage for yourself and your dependents.

Did you celebrate a milestone birthday this year?

The voluntary Term Life (VTL) insurance plan is age-rated, meaning rates increase when an enrolled employee turns 40, 50, or 60. Be sure to review your current elections and determine the appropriate amount of coverage you need moving forward.

Review Your Personal Information

Annual open enrollment is a great time each year to review your personal information within Employee Self-Service:

Review your beneficiaries - if you make updates, don't forget to visit your mandatory retirement account to make the same updates.
Ensure your home address is correct. New medical cards will be issued in 2026 with the updated medical OPM information.
Personal Health Information Release Form - review who has been listed as an appointed member who can speak to UI Benefits and Payroll in the case you are unable to communicate with us.