Open Enrollment

The State of Florida Group Insurance Program Annual Open Enrollment period begins Monday, October 13 at 8:00 a.m. and ends Friday, October 31 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

What You Need to Know

The Division of State Group Insurance (DSGI) provides an Open Enrollment period each year, to allow benefits-eligible employees to review available benefit plans and make changes for the following year. Coverage elections or changes that occur during Open Enrollment will become effective January 1, 2026.

Employees determined eligible by People First will receive communication prior to Open Enrollment that provides information on plan details, cost, and enrollment instructions.

Outside of Open Enrollment, employees can elect to enroll, change, add, or drop coverage and/or dependents from their benefit plans in the event of a Qualified Status Change (QSC).

UCF Benefits Fair

The UCF Benefits Team is hosting the annual UCF Benefits Fair on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. The event will be held in the Pegasus Ballroom in the UCF Student Union.

The UCF Benefits Fair offers employees the opportunity to speak with insurance companies, retirement plan providers, financial advisors, learn about various resources, perks, and services provided by UCF community partners and organizations.

Attendance is encouraged!

What is New for 2026?

Information for the 2026 plan year has not been released. Check back!

What Can You Do To Get Ready?

Helpful tips on the open enrollment period (Oct. 13 – Oct. 31) for the 2026 plan year can be found below:

• Employees who have not logged into People First within the past 90 days will need to update their passwords online. We recommend doing so prior to Open Enrollment, as there will be heavy traffic on the website. To ensure you receive your Open Enrollment package, please verify your address in Workday and People First.
• Review your personalized benefits statement carefully. The benefits statement shows your current selection and your options for the next plan year, including the monthly cost.
• Visit the State Group Insurance YouTube website to watch 2026 plan videos from the insurance companies, including Aetna, Florida Blue, Optum Rx, Chard Snyder, and several others. You can also review the 2026 insurance plan documents to learn about benefit coverages.
• Contact the insurance companies directly if you have specific questions about coverage, network access, and other benefits.
• Make changes as many times as you would like during Open Enrollment.

Open Enrollment Information Sessions

The UCF HR Benefits Section will be hosting virtual Open Enrollment Information Sessions. Attendance to these sessions is voluntary but strongly encouraged as plan changes for 2026.

Dates for the Open Enrollment sessions have not been released. Check back!

OPS Employees

OPS employees who worked an average of 30 hours or more per week from 10/3/2024 to 10/2/2025 will be offered an opportunity to participate in the annual Open Enrollment (OE) period. Employees determined eligible by People First will receive communication prior to OE, which provides information on plan details, cost, and instructions on how to enroll. New elections or changes made to existing benefits during this period will take effect beginning January 1, 2026.

OPS employees determined ineligible (worked less than 30 hrs/week when measured from 10/3/2024 to 10/2/2025), will not be able to participate in the OE period. If measured ineligible, but currently enrolled in benefits, coverage(s) will terminate at the end of the calendar year. A packet will be sent by People First regarding options to continue insurance under COBRA which would begin on January 1, 2026, once active coverage has ended.

If you have additional questions about OPS eligibility, please contact People First at (866)-663-4735 (Monday – Friday: 8am-6pm EST).