Annual Benefits Open Enrollment

The annual benefits Open Enrollment period for CSU employees is September 14, 2026 through October 9, 2026. The effective date for all changes made during Open Enrollment will be January 1, 2027. For detailed information, visit the CSU Open Enrollment website at calstate.edu/openenrollment, where you can access the 2027 Open Enrollment Benefits Guide, health plan rates, benefit plan information, vendor resources and other materials.

During the open enrollment period, eligible employees may:

• Enroll in or change health or dental plans;
• Enroll in or cancel Premier vision coverage;
• Add or remove a spouse, domestic partner or eligible dependents to/from health, dental, and/or vision plans;
• Elect or cancel FlexCash. If you have other non-CSU group medical and/or dental coverage, you may elect the FlexCash Plan, which pays you cash in lieu of CSU coverage;
• Update or enroll in voluntary benefit plans;
• Elect to participate or re-enroll in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) or the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA). If you are participating in 2026, and want to continue participation in 2027, you must re-enroll during open enrollment.

Not sure where to start? Use the 2027 Open Enrollment Checklist for a quick overview of items to consider as you review your benefits, including dependents, beneficiaries, health care needs, reimbursement accounts and voluntary benefits. 

No action is necessary if you do not intend to make any changes to your health or dental benefits. Please note that all employees are subject to health premium rate changes.
 

2027 Benefit Program Highlights

• Changes to employee costs for many CalPERS health plans
• UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Alliance and Harmony HMO plans will no longer be offered in 2027
• A new Sutter Health Plan HMO in select counties and expansion of certain other health plan service areas
• An increase in the annual HCRA contribution maximum to $3,400
• DCRA annual maximums of $7,500 for employees earning less than $160,000 annually and $5,000 for employees earning $160,000 or more annually
• A special enrollment opportunity for eligible employees to obtain certain Voluntary Life Insurance coverage through The Standard without providing Evidence of Insurability
   

Virtual Open Enrollment Fair

The Chancellor’s Office will host a Systemwide Virtual Open Enrollment Fair on Thursday, October 1, 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. Register for the Virtual Open Enrollment Fair here.
 

Review Your Benefits and Costs

For more detailed information, visit the CSU Open Enrollment website at calstate.edu/openenrollment, where you can access the 2027 Open Enrollment Benefits Guide, health plan rates, benefit plan information, vendor resources and other materials.

Employees enrolled in a CalPERS health plan can also log in to their myCalPERS account to view their personalized 2027 Health Plan Statement, including current and 2027 monthly premium information and benefit changes that may affect them. Please note that CSU employees cannot make health plan changes directly through myCalPERS.
 

Voluntary Benefits

Making Enrollment Updates

New this year, Employee Self Service is available for Open Enrollment elections. Employees can use Employee Self Service to make changes to health, dental, FlexCash, and Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (HCRA/DCRA) during the Open Enrollment period.

For step-by-step enrollment instructions, please refer to the Open Enrollment Knowledge Base and job aids.

Enrollment and changes for other voluntary benefits, including VSP Premier, voluntary life insurance, legal insurance and other vendor-administered plans, continue to be completed directly through the applicable benefit vendor. Visit the CSU Open Enrollment website for plan information and links to vendor enrollment sites.
 

CSU Retirees

During Open Enrollment and throughout the year, CSU retirees can access health, dental, and vision information online. CSU Retirees with questions regarding health or dental eligibility and access to my|CalPERS should contact CalPERS directly at (888) 225-7377 or visit the CSU Retiree Internet Website.
 

Important Links

• CSU Open Enrollment Website
• Open Enrollment FAQ
• Open Enrollment Checklist
• Self-Service Open Enrollment Knowledge Base and Job Aids
• CalPERS Plans and Rates 2027
• 2027 Health Care and Insurance Monthly Premium Rate Chart
• Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) Brochure
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) Brochure

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