2026 Open Enrollment
The 2026 Open Enrollment period begins soon. Open Enrollment provides faculty and staff with the annual opportunity to review and update their benefit elections in alignment with their individual needs and anticipated healthcare expenses for the upcoming year. There will be no health, prescription, dental, or vision insurance plan design changes for 2026. Open Enrollment will be in effect from November 10 through November 28, 2025. All new elections will take effect on January 1, 2026.
All benefit changes for January 1, 2026, must be entered in Workday by the close of Open Enrollment on November 28th. The Open Enrollment task will be in your Workday inbox starting on November 10th. Employees who are not making changes or enrolling in the Flexible Spending Account and/or Dependent Care Account during Open Enrollment, do not have to take any action. The Open Enrollment task will disappear from your Workday inbox once Open Enrollment has ended.
Detailed benefits information including the 2026 benefits rates, can be found by going to fairfield.edu/employeebenefits. If you have questions after reviewing these materials, please contact Blythe Josovitz, Director, Benefits & Compensation at bjosovitz@fairfield.edu or at extension 2995.
Updates for 2026
Flexible Spending Accounts
Contributions for the pre-tax Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and pre-tax Dependent Care Account (DCA) will not continue into 2026 unless you re-enroll during Open Enrollment. The 2026 annual contribution limit for the Medical FSA will be increasing from $3,300 to $3,400. The Dependent Care Account annual contribution limit will be increasing from $5,000 to $7,500. The pre-tax Commuter Transit and Parking FSA limits will each be increasing from $325/month to $340/month. 2026 Medical Flexible Spending Account balances must be used by December 31, 2026, and 2026 Dependent Care Account balances must be used by March 15, 2027.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
The 2026 HSA contribution limits are increasing from $4,300 to $4,400 for a single person and from $8,550 to $8,750 for a family of two or more. There is an additional catch-up allowance of $1,000 for employees age 55 and older (or turning 55 during 2026). HSA contributions will continue as-is unless changed in Workday.
Retirement Savings Contributions (TIAA)
Your retirement savings contributions will remain as-is and won’t show up as part of Open Enrollment. If you’d like to make a change to your retirement savings contribution at any time during the year, you can do so in Workday under “Benefits and Pay”.
Other Benefits and Perks
In addition to core benefits, faculty and staff have access to a variety of additional programs and resources designed to support your personal, financial, and overall well-being. More details are available at fairfield.edu/employeebenefits.
Available during Open Enrollment or within 30 days of a qualifying life event:
- ARAG Legal Insurance: ARAG provides employees, spouses, and dependent children with trusted support for resolving legal issues. This voluntary benefit is available for $18.78/month and may be added in Workday during Open Enrollment.
Available year-round:
- Bank of America Employee Perk Program: Designed to support financial wellness with a range of educational options, innovative tools, and special access to the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program Gold tier benefits.
- Calm: Free subscription for yourself (and up to 5 family and friends) to the #1 app for mental fitness, mindfulness, and stress management.
- Employee Discount Programs: Save on movie tickets, theme parks, rental cars, and more with Working Advantage and BenefitHub. Also enjoy Apple and Samsung employee discount programs.
- Hero Benefits Network: Save an average of $3,000 at closing when buying or selling a home with a participating realtor.
- Higher Ed Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential counseling service and work-life resources available 24/7/365.
- Husk Nutrition: Free virtual visits with registered dietitians for those who qualify.
- MetLife Pet Insurance: Protect your peace of mind with MetLife pet insurance to keep your furry friends healthy and happy.
- Savi Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Savi helps federal student loan borrowers evaluate eligibility for income-driven repayment and forgiveness programs.
- Tava Health: A virtual mental health platform that provides employees with easy, confidential access to licensed therapists through convenient teletherapy sessions billed through your health insurance.
Related Web Site : https://www.fairfield.edu/employeebenefits
For more information, contact Blythe Josovitz, Director, Benefits and Comp. / x.2995 / bjosovitz@fairfield.edu