Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for 2023 is now closed. The next opportunity to make changes is if you experience a qualifying life event or during the next Open Enrollment, usually in October. 

Open Enrollment is an annual period of time when faculty, staff, retirees and survivors, and benefits-eligible graduate students can make changes to their benefits. Changes and new rates go into effect January 1. Visit this page frequently for the latest information. Benefits included are health, dental, vision, legal services, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), based on your eligibility. Review the benefits eligibility for your and your dependents.

Changes Outside of Open Enrollment

Outside of the annual Open Enrollment period, you may be able to make specific benefits changes within 30 days of a qualifying family status event. See Life Events for details on making benefits changes.

Benefits You Can Change Any Time

Retirement savings plans, life insurance, and long-term disability plans are not part of Open Enrollment. If eligible, you may enroll or make changes to these plans at any time.

U-M Retirement Savings Plan elections are not part of Open Enrollment and you can make changes at any time throughout the year. However, to avoid conflict with Open Enrollment benefit changes, initiating Basic Plan, 403(b) SRA, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan elections through Wolverine Access Self-Service will not be available on the last two days of Open Enrollment.

Supplemental Medicare Plans vs Medicare Advantage Plans 

The University of Michigan offers Medicare eligible retirees supplemental health plans which coordinate with traditional Medicare. Our plans work with Medicare to provide comparable coverage to our active employee plans. 

You may have seen information about Medicare Advantage plans that are available in the individual health plan market. These plans are not currently offered as an option through your University of Michigan retiree benefits.  If you are considering enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan it is recommended that you compare the benefits and out of pocket costs with the University's Medicare plan to ensure they are equivalent. Before making a final decision, please review additional information regarding waiving coverage in retirement. 

    Reminders

    • Check your beneficiary designations for your U-M life insurance and retirement savings plan accounts.
    • Update your home mailing address through Wolverine Access by selecting Employee Self Service > Campus Personal Information > Addresses > Current Local. 
    • Enrollment in the Michigan Care health plan is currently limited to faculty, staff and retirees who live in a specific geographic area within southeast Michigan. Visit Michigan Care Eligibility and enter your home zip code to see if you are eligible to enroll in the plan.
    • Walk-in service at Wolverine Tower is not available.
    • Sign up for news from University Human Resources. To receive news about benefits, programs, policies and other activities for faculty and staff, sign up to receive updates by email.