Benefits Open Enrollment
Western Michigan University's 2027 open enrollment period begins on Monday, Oct. 26, and concludes on Friday, Nov. 13. All enrollment and change forms must be submitted to Human Resources by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.
2026 Benefits-Wellness Expo
WMU faculty, staff, and retirees can learn about their benefits, get flu shots, register for door prizes, and take part in “Find Your Way to Better Health” activities from multiple different exhibitors during the Benefits and Wellness Expo from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd in the Student Center Ballroom. Several exhibitors will conduct breakout sessions on various benefit topics throughout the event in nearby rooms. Stay tuned for more information: https://www.wmich.edu/hr/benefits-expo.
Enrollment elections will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, and health plan payroll deduction amount changes will take effect with your first paycheck in January.
Your current health plan elections will continue into calendar year 2027 if you do not take any action. This is your annual opportunity to add dependents to your health plan or enroll yourself if you waived coverage. After open enrollment ends, you cannot change your benefit election unless you have a qualifying life event.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) elections must be renewed each year during open enrollment. FSA elections will not roll over into the next year.
This is also a good time to update your address and life insurance beneficiary designations.
PLEASE SELECT YOUR 2027 BENEFITS GUIDE BELOW
Aviation Associates and Post-Graduate Fellows (R3)
COBRA Participants - Aviation Associates and Post-Graduate Fellows (R3)
COBRA Participants - Temporary Employees - ACA Eligible
Dining Services, Facilities Management, and Other (AFSCME)
Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, and Principal Research Associate
Retirees and Surviving Spouses
Retirees (Access Only) for Staff Compensation System Retirees hired on or after Sept. 1, 2010, and their Surviving Spouses
Retiree Health Insurance Billing FAQ
Retiree Instructions For Setting Up Automatic Bill Payment
Senior Administrative Officers
Temporary Employees - ACA Eligible
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
You may choose to participate in up to two flexible spending accounts, which allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical and dependent care expenses. The maximum annual contribution to a health care flexible spending account is $3,400 for 2027. The maximum annual contribution to a dependent care flexible spending account is $6,000, or $3,000 for employees whose income tax status is married filing separately.
For the 2027 plan year, health care flexible spending account participants may carry over up to $680 of unused funds into the 2028 plan year. There will not be dependent care FSA carryover from 2027 into 2028.
WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO COMPLETE?
- To change your health care benefit election effective Jan. 1, 2027, complete the PPO health insurance enrollment form printable. PPO health insurance enrollment form fillable
- To change your health care benefit election effective Jan. 1, 2027, complete the HMO health insurance enrollment form printable. HMO health enrollment form fillable Healthy Blue Living HMO Welcome Guide
- To enroll a designated eligible individual effective Jan. 1, 2027, complete the designated eligible individual enrollment form printable, designated eligible individual enrollment form fillable, and submit the supporting documentation.
- To enroll or re-enroll in a flexible spending account for 2027, complete the flexible spending account enrollment form.
WHERE DO I SEND MY COMPLETED FORMS?
Submit your completed health insurance enrollment and change form and flexible spending account enrollment form to Human Resources no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. Email @email or fax 269-387-3441.
WHEN WILL MY CHANGES TAKE PLACE?
Health care benefit and flexible spending account elections are effective Jan. 1, 2027. Payroll deductions begin with the first paycheck received in January 2027.
MEDICARE PART D AND OTHER IMPORTANT NOTICES?
Are you or your dependent(s) eligible for prescription drug benefits under Medicare Part D due to age or disability? If so, please review the Medicare Part D Notice and other important notices at Benefit Notices.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
If you have additional questions about benefits open enrollment, please contact Human Resources at 269-387-3620 or email @email.
The information outlined above is subject to legal documents that pertain to each benefit plan and policies, procedures, contracts, or collective bargaining agreements, which are controlling as to the availability and amount of benefits. This website is not a legal document.