Sonoma State University

CSU Benefits Open Enrollment: September 14 – October 9

Friday, September 11, 2026, 1:30pm

TO: Sonoma State Employees
FR: Payroll and Benefits

Mark your calendars! The CSU annual Benefits Open Enrollment period is September 14 through October 9, 2026.
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and make sure your coverage continues to meet your and your family’s needs. Any elections or changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect January 1, 2027.

During Open Enrollment, eligible employees may:

  • Enroll in, change or cancel health and dental coverage
  • Add or remove eligible dependents
  • Enroll in or make changes to FlexCash
  • Enroll in or make changes to eligible voluntary benefit plans
  • Enroll/re-enroll in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)

If you are satisfied with your current elections, you generally do not need to take action. Most current elections will continue into 2027. However, HCRA and DCRA participants must re-enroll each year to continue participating.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2027

There are a number of benefit and rate changes for 2027, so we encourage all employees to review their options carefully. Highlights include:

  • 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

Additional information about these and other changes is included in the 2027 CSU Open Enrollment Guidebook.

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.

HOW TO MAKE OPEN ENROLLMENT CHANGES

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. 

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.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ENROLLMENT

Please carefully review your benefit options and costs before making enrollment decisions. Open Enrollment elections must be completed by October 9, 2026. After Open Enrollment closes, changes generally may only be made when an eligible qualifying event occurs.

For additional information, forms and enrollment instructions, visit the CSU Open Enrollment website or SSU Payroll and Benefits website.

Questions? Please contact Payroll and Benefits at payroll@sonoma.edu.