UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Friday, Nov. 18, is the deadline for Penn State employees to complete their benefits open enrollment for 2017. This is the final opportunity to change or update benefit elections for the coming year. Employees can enroll, make changes, and/or add or remove dependents for 2017 by logging into the Employee Self-Service Information Center (ESSIC) by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
Benefits Open Enrollment microsite
The 2017 Benefits Open Enrollment microsite — openenrollment.psu.edu — is the central resource for tools and information to help Penn State employees make the best benefits choices for themselves and their families. Visitors to the microsite can also watch a benefits open enrollment presentation that explains comparing and understanding benefits choices.
Changes for 2017
There is important information on the microsite that highlights changes from the previous year, and provides users with the ability to research options with regard to those changes.
Among the changes for 2017:
- A modest increases in copays and deductibles in both the PPO Blue and PPO Savings plans and in certain cases, premium increases
- An increase in Penn State's contribution to the Health Savings Account (HSA) for those earning $60,000 or less, and participate in the PPO Savings Plan
e-Magazine Benefits Open Enrollment Guide
Among the most useful features of the microsite is the comprehensive benefits e-Magazine. 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. For employees who still prefer a paper copy, a printable version in PDF format is available on the Benefits Open Enrollment website. A separate e-Magazine benefits guide is also provided for members of Teamsters Local 8.