Benefits Open Enrollment 2026

Open Enrollment is your opportunity each year to review your current benefit plan elections to ensure they continue to meet your needs and those of your family. During this time, you can:

• Enroll in a benefit plan
• Change or add to your benefit plans
• Add or remove eligible family members
• Elect to decline or cancel coverage / enroll or cancel FlexCash
• Enroll/Re-enroll in annual Health Care or Dependent Care reimbursement accounts (HCRA/DCRA)
• Update or enroll in voluntary benefit plans
• Update your beneficiaries and ensure your personal information is up to date
• If you have no changes to your benefits, your plans will automatically renew for the upcoming plan year (this does not apply to HCRA/DCRA)

If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care Reimbursement and/or the Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan (HCRA/DCRA), you must re-enroll in the plan(s) for next year as these plans require an annual enrollment. If you are not a current HCRA/DCRA participant, and wish to enroll, you may do so during Open Enrollment.

The effective date for all changes made during Open Enrollment will be January 1, 2027.

Additionally, the Open Enrollment period  provides the opportunity to explore voluntary plan options such as increase in life insurance benefits (The Standard) or enroll in a Tax Shelter Annuity or Deferred Compensation plan (403(b)/457/401k). These plans do not have an official open enrollment period, however, specific enrollment criteria and deadlines may apply.

For a complete overview of the changes for 2027, visit our CSU Benefits Open Enrollment site, review the 2026 Open Enrollment Benefits Guide and register to attend the CSU Employee Virtual Benefits Fair. 

The Chancellor's Office will host a Systemwide Virtual Open Enrollment Fair on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom Events. Employees will have an opportunity to learn more about available benefits and connect with benefit representatives. 

Thursday             October 1, 2026           11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

You must REGISTER here to attend the CSU Employee Virtual Benefits Fair. 

Important Information & Reminders For 2027

• 2026 Open Enrollment Benefits Guide
• 2027 Health Plan Monthly Premium Rate Chart
• Open Enrollment Checklist 
• Review all plan information regarding CSU Benefit plans and Open Enrollment.
• Open Enrollment changes, such as health, dental and HCRA/DCRA are submitted through MyHR. For step-by-step enrollment instructions, please refer to the Open Enrollment Knowledge Base and job aids. 
• Voluntary benefit plan enrollments, such as ARAG's Legal plan and The Standard, are processed through the specific provider’s website.
• Carefully review your January 1, 2027 pay warrant to ensure your open enrollment changes are reflected.
• Contact Human Resources Benefits Team regarding any discrepancies immediately.
• CSU Benefits Open Enrollment Website
• Benefits Fair Registration

How to Make Open Enrollment Change

• Complete your elections via MyHR.  All Open Enrollment transactions are due in HR/Benefits by Friday, October 9, 2026. No changes will be accepted after October 9, 2026.
• For step-by-step instructions, please refer to the Open Enrollment Knowledge Base.
• Remember, your Open Enrollment election(s) will go into effect on January 1, 2027

Note: If you are not making any health plan changes for 2027, nothing needs to be done. Your current benefit plans will rollover into next year, except for HCRA/DCRA. 

If there is a discrepancy between this information and the official plan documents and contracts, the official documents will always govern.