Ready, set, enroll: Open enrollment for 2026 benefits begins today

Benefits open enrollment for 2026 begins today (Oct. 28) and ends at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, Nov. 11. All employees are strongly encouraged to review and actively enroll for 2026 benefits. Remember, the benefit choices made during open enrollment will be in effect for all of 2026, unless a qualifying life event occurs.

Quick reminders

Except for health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs),current benefits will roll forward into 2026 unless employees log in to Benefitfocus and make new selections. Those who wish to have an HSA, HRA or FSA must log into Benefitfocus and elect them for 2026.

Note: The Tobacco Survey and Working Spouse Certification, which are required annually, must be completed, as answers could impact premiums. Employees who do not complete the Tobacco Survey and Working Spouse Certification each year during enrollment will be charged the tobacco-user additional premium (for both employee and spouse, if covered) and the working spouse premium (for spouse, if covered) the next plan year.

Enrollment resources — Purdue University

Via the Benefits Enrollment website, Purdue employees have access to a variety of helpful resources, including: 

• The 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment Decision Guide is available for employees at all campuses; it provides a checklist to help employees confidently choose their benefits for next year.
• The 2026 Benefits Guide is available for employees at all campuses (including a version in Spanish); it outlines Purdue’s extensive benefits package as well as step-by-step instructions on how to enroll.
• The 2026 recorded Benefits Enrollment presentation (also available in Spanish) provides a detailed overview of information pertinent to benefits open enrollment in an interactive format. For employees who were unable to attend a virtual presentation or those who would like a quick review, the recorded presentation highlights key enrollment information, including plans being offered, how CDHPs work, what’s new for 2026, how to enroll and more. Viewers can pause or rewind at any time to review specific information.
• The Medicare & Purdue Medical/HSA Plans recorded presentation is helpful for those nearing (or over) age 65 by explaining Medicare basics and how it works. It also covers Purdue medical plan options and the things individuals should consider when deciding how — and when — to enroll in Medicare versus remaining on a Purdue medical plan.
• In-person labs (West Lafayette location) will be available Nov. 4-10 at various times and will take place at 2550 Northwestern Ave. Schedule in-person computer assistance here. Spanish labs are available today (Oct. 28) and tomorrow (Oct. 29) at John T. McCutcheon Residence Hall, Room C-216, 400 McCutheon Drive. Schedule in-person assistance at the Spanish labs here.
• Fort Wayne, Hammond and Westville employees also have one-on-one sessions available through Nov. 11. Details and registration information are available here.
• The “How to Enroll” video provides additional assistance.

Still trying to decide which medical plan to choose? There are also resources to help employees better understand their options:

• Benefits 101 — Key Terms and Concepts
• “Choosing the Right Medical Plan” video
• Review pages 5-6 in the Benefits Guide (Guía De Beneficious 2026).

Enrollment Resources — Purdue Global

Via theBenefits/Wellnesswebsite, Purdue Global employees have a variety of open enrollment resources available to them, including:

• The 2026 Purdue Global Benefits Guide, which outlines Purdue Global’s extensive benefits package focusing on overall health and well-being, as well as the 2026 Open Enrollment Decision Guide, which provides a checklist to help employees confidently choose their benefits for next year. 
•  The “How to Enroll” video provides additional assistance.

More information

Throughout the 2026 open enrollment time frame (Oct. 28-Nov. 11), information will continue to be provided via Purdue Today, emails and the dedicated open enrollment website resources for Purdue and Purdue Global employees.

Employees should direct questions to Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.

Note: The service center experiences a higher-than-normal volume of inquiries during open enrollment. Staff members are available to answer calls and emails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Emails are assigned a case number and are addressed in the order received, from oldest to newest. Each ticket received is registered and addressed as quickly as possible. Allowing time for responses is crucial, and if follow-up is needed, it’s helpful to use the original case number to avoid duplication and delayed responses.