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retirees

Open Enrollment


Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. – Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, at 5 p.m.

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Retirees

Get started

Open enrollment is your chance to enroll in or make changes to your benefits. Here’s a checklist to help you get started.

  1. Learn what’s new or changing for 2027

    UC is offering the same choice of Medicare and non-Medicare medical plans this year, with a few plan changes and some premium increases.

    Review your options to make sure you have the coverage that best meets your needs. 

    Plan choices and changes >
    Plan costs >
    For retirees not eligible for the full UC contribution — retiree health plan premium estimator >

  2. Not making changes this year?

    Your current insurance coverage will continue automatically into next year but your premium may be higher.

  3. Decide if you have the right medical plan

    Here are some factors to consider:

    • Your costs — Make sure you understand your premiums and how much you’ll need to pay when you receive care. See retiree medical plan costs, and — for retirees who are not eligible for the full UC contribution — UC’s retiree health plan premium estimator.
    • Your needs — Are there specific services or treatments you would like covered, or providers you need to see?
    • Where you’ll seek care — If you travel or have a family member who lives out of the area, you may want to select a plan that provides services out of the area.
    • Life changes — Read about Enrolling in a Medicare Plan, Split or Mixed Medicare Families or, if you’re considering a move outside of California, the Medicare Coordinator Program.
  4. Don’t forget about other benefits: Dental, vision and legal

    Dental plans are still offered by UC at no cost for retirees who are eligible for 100% of the UC contribution. Find your premium costs on UCRAYS.

    Learn more about these other benefits >

  5. Enroll online

    You can enroll or make changes to your medical, dental and legal coverage on UC Retirement At Your Service (UCRAYS). 

    Here’s how to enroll using UCRAYS >

    If you’re unable to make changes online, you can call the UC Retirement Administration Service Center for help at 800-888-8267, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT). 

    Enroll for vision insurance on VSP’s website or by phone at 866-240-8344. Enroll for pet insurance on Nationwide’s website or by phone at 877-738-7874. For auto, home or renters insurance in 2027, beginning Dec. 1, 2026, call 888-882-7609 or visit CalCas.com/UC to learn more, request a quote and start the enrollment process.  

  6. To ensure UC’s benefits resources are used wisely, anyone who enrolls new family members in their health and welfare benefit plans must provide documents to verify their family members’ eligibility for coverage. You do not need to provide documentation at the time of enrollment. You will receive a request for verification via postal mail a few weeks after Open Enrollment ends.

    UnifyHR administers the verification program for UC. You must respond by the deadline shown on the letter sent by UnifyHR to protect your family members’ coverage.

    Learn more about family member eligibility verification.