Benefits Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2026
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is October 6 – October 31, 2025! This is an annual opportunity for benefits eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to most benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Benefits Open Enrollment is the only time employees are eligible to make changes without a qualifying life event, such as a family or employment status change.
Changes made during open enrollment will be effective January 1, 2026.
During the open enrollment period eligible employees may elect to:
- Enroll in coverage if currently uninsured
- Change health plans or other covered plans
- Change the level of coverage (i.e. Single to family)
- Cancel coverage
2026 benefits information is summarized on the Universities of Wisconsin Open Enrollment website. The Universities of Wisconsin provides additional resources to explain benefit options for plan year 2026.
Questions About Open Enrollment?
Please contact the Human Resources Benefits office.
Open Enrollment Events
UWM HR is partnering with Campus Cares to host an Open Enrollment Benefits Fair and Wellness Symposium on October 8th in the UWM Student Union Wisconsin Room. See below for event details.
Benefits Open Enrollment Fair
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.
Location: Student Union, Wisconsin Room
Employees will find extensive information on benefits offered through our vendor partners and will be able to speak with UWM benefit specialists as well on open enrollment questions.
Flu Clinic
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 8:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M.
Location: Student Union, Wisconsin Room
One of three onsite flu clinics offered to UWM employees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.
- Preregistration is required. To register for a flu vaccination appointment, log into the WebMD Health portal and click “Register Today” on the Flu Vaccination card found in the Benefits portion of the portal.
- A valid medical ID will need to be presented at the flu clinic.
- Once registered, complete the digital consent form.
Wellness Fair
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.
Location: Student Union, Wisconsin Room
Faculty, staff and students can enjoy activities and information regarding their health and wellness, blood pressure checks, including chair massages, pet therapy, giant Jenga, meditation sessions and more.
Campus Cares Symposium
Date: October 8, 2025
Location: Student Union, Fireside Lounge
Three workshops led by Emily Raclaw, director of Marquette University’s On Your Marq Center, for faculty, staff and students. All workshops are in the Student Union Fireside Lounge.
- 10:00 A.M. — 11:00 A.M., Beyond the Label: How to Support Neurodiverse Learners in the Classroom
- 11:15 A.M. — 12:00 P.M., Neurodiversity 101: Understanding Minds that Work Differently, a Guide to Empathy, Inclusion and Allyship
- 12:15 P.M. — 1:00 P.M., Clinical Clarity: Supporting Neurodiverse Minds in Practice
Open Enrollment Walk-in Sessions and Virtual Appointments
The UWM benefits team is holding in-person and virtual open enrollment sessions which allow employees to speak directly with a benefits specialist to ask questions and receive assistance. These are not intended to provide a comprehensive benefit overview, but as an opportunity for questions and clarification on open enrollment items.
No registration is required for walk-in sessions, but employees are encouraged to bring a laptop, review relevant benefit materials ahead of time, setup their MyWisconsin ID and come prepared with questions.
Walk-in Sessions
Walk-in sessions are held in Engelmann Hall, Room 122.
- October 15, 9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
- October 21, 9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
- October 22, 12:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
- October 30, 9:00 A.M. — 4:00 P.M.
- October 31, 9:00 A.M. — 4:00 P.M.
Virtual Benefits Sessions
Employees who are unable to attend in-person Open Enrollment walk-in session are welcome to schedule a virtual, 20-minute consultation with a benefits specialist. During this appointment, you may speak directly with a benefits specialist to ask questions about benefit offerings and receive assistance with benefits enrollment.
Enrolling or Making Changes to Benefits during Open Enrollment
This year, enrolling in your benefits may be a multi-step process because there is a new benefits enrollment system “My Insurance Benefits.”
- You will need a My Benefits account using a MyWisconsin ID to access the benefits enrollment system. This is a one-time registration process that you must complete prior to enrolling in your benefits. For instructions, review Set Up Account in My Benefits.
- Log into Workday then go to Menu > Personal > Benefits and Pay > Suggested Links > My Insurance Benefits.
- Log into My Insurance Benefits using your My Benefits credentials. Then, review your current benefits/dependents and enroll for the 2026 plan year (October 6 — October 31, 2025, 4:30 P.M.).
- If you add your spouse or dependent children to your benefits, when you enroll, you may be required to provide their full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and documentation (marriage certificate for your spouse or birth certificates for your dependent children).
Other Considerations and Reminders
- Wisconsin Retirement System: Employee and employer contributions to the WRS will increase to 7.2% for most employees effective January 1, 2026.
- State Group Life Insurance: Employee coverage premium will increase 5% for most age groups effective April 1, 2026. Spouse & Dependent coverage premium will remain the same.
- Income Continuation Insurance: Effective April 1, 2026, premium rates will decrease.
- There is no open enrollment opportunity for the following plans, but you can apply at any time with proof of good health: State Group Life Insurance, Individual & Family Life Insurance, Income Continuation Insurance.
- You can enroll in the following plans at any time: Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP), Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (457) Program, Parking & Transit Accounts, Long-term Care Insurance.