2018 Benefits Open Enrollment has begun -- make your selections by Nov. 17

The 2018 Benefits Open Enrollment period has begun and Human Resources is excited to offer faculty and staff comprehensive and interactive tools and resources to assist with these important benefits decisions. 

Benefits Open Enrollment, which runs from today through Nov. 17, provides Penn State employees the annual opportunity to make or change benefits selections, with all changes and updates taking effect on Jan. 1, 2018. 

Benefits Open Enrollment is the only opportunity for Penn State faculty and staff to make benefits changes for 2018, unless an employee has an eligible change-in-status event, such as the birth of a child or marriage.  Employees are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this annual opportunity to review their benefit options and make the choices that best meet their needs.  If employees do not log into ESSIC — the Employee Self-Service Information Center — and complete Benefits Open Enrollment, their elections for 2018 will remain the same as they are for 2017.  However, be sure to indicate your payroll contributions for the Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account(s), if applicable, as these amounts do not roll over from year to year. 

To empower employees and help simplify the process, Human Resources once again has consolidated all of the information and tools employees will need on the 2018 Benefits Open Enrollment microsite.

A key feature of the website, the all-encompassing e-Magazine, is a digital publication offering informative videos and useful links that will allow participants to choose the best plan for their families.

Other microsite features include:

  • Explanations of the PPO Savings Plan and PPO Plan, and side-by-side coverage comparisons
  • Details on the benefits vendor changes all effective Jan. 1, 2018
  • Information on health care, dental, vision, optional life insurance, long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and the new short-term disability benefit
  • A schedule of remaining meetings and links to online webinars, may be found at http://openenrollment.psu.edu/webinar-schedule/
  • A link to ESSIC to enroll in or change benefits for 2018

Benefits changes for 2018 include:

  • Deductibles under the PPO plan are determined by annual base salary
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) seed money is determined by annual base salary
  • For spouses who are both employed by Penn State, employee premium contributions will be based on the higher paid spouse, if employee/spouse or family coverage is selected
  • Employee premium contributions have changed under both the PPO and PPO Savings plans
  • Employees will no longer be required to complete the tobacco surcharge attestation
  • The spousal surcharge still applies
  • The addition of a voluntary short-term disability benefit

Log into ESSIC beginning today to complete Benefits Open Enrollment. You have until Nov. 17 at 11:59 pm to make your selections.

Last Updated November 1, 2017