The State of Florida Group Insurance Program Annual Open Enrollment period begins Monday, October 12 at 8 a.m. and ends Friday, October 30, 2026 at 6 p.m. EST.
What You Need to Know
There are two open enrollment periods beginning October 12, 2026:
1. State of Florida Benefits Open Enrollment
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, 2027.
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).
2. Gabor Financial Solutions Group Disability Open Enrollment
The special open enrollment will be held from October 12- October 30. This benefit is only available to A&P, USPS, Faculty, and Executive Service employees. More information can be found below.
Employees who are interested in enrolling in Gabor’s Group Disability Insurance should review/complete changes to their state benefits open enrollment first and then enroll in Gabor.
2026 Benefits Fair
The Benefits Fair will be held at the Celeste Hotel Ballroom on Oct. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is a cornerstone for UCF employees to learn about the many options available during the Open Enrollment period and make informed decisions about benefits for the 2027 plan year.
At the Benefits Fair, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Explore retirement, insurance, and other benefit options from state providers and UCF groups.
- Meet face-to-face with plan representatives and get your questions answered.
- Learn about important benefit changes for 2027, including updates to HSA/FSA limits and retirement contribution limits.
Event Highlights
- Chair massages
- Health screenings
- Flu vaccines
- Annual parking permit from UCF Parking Services
- UCF Recreation Wellness Center membership for 1 semester
- Ray-Ban sunglasses from InFocus Eyecare
- UCF Theatre tickets from UCF School of Performing Arts
- Regal movie tickets
- Visit from Knightro
What is New for 2027?
Updates will be available soon.
What Can You Do To Get Ready?
Helpful tips on the open enrollment period (Oct. 12 – Oct. 30) for the 2027 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 plan videos from the insurance companies, including Aetna, Florida Blue, Optum Rx, Chard Snyder, and several others.
- 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.
Important Information for OPS Employees
OPS employees who worked an average of 30 hours or more per week from 10/3/2025 to 10/2/2026 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, 2027.
OPS employees determined ineligible (worked less than 30 hours/week when measured from 10/3/2025 to 10/2/2026), 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, 2027, 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).
Gabor Financial Solutions Disability Open Enrollment
The UCF Group Disability insurance from Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) is designed to assist you and your family in the event that you are unable to work due to a covered illness or injury. The plan is payroll-deducted and available on a guaranteed issue basis (no medical exam or health questions required) to new employees or during a special open enrollment period, administered by Gabor Financial Solutions.
This is the first open enrollment for UCF’s disability insurance program in 4 years and will be held from October 12 – October 30.
This benefit is unique to eligible* UCF employees and outside of this special enrollment period, employees cannot enroll unless they are newly hired to the university or are willing to go through medical underwriting.
*This benefit is only available to A&P, USPS, 9- or 12-month Faculty, and Executive Service employees.
Under this plan, you may choose one of two options:
- The 30-day Plan: The 30–day plan begins paying benefits after 30 days. The first 60 days of benefits are paid on a weekly basis. Following 60 days of benefits, beginning on day 90, benefits are paid on a monthly basis.
- The 90-day Plan: The 90–day plan begins paying benefits on a monthly basis after 90 days.
Don’t miss out on this enrollment opportunity.
Learn more about the disability insurance and enrollment by visiting the Gabor Open Enrollment website, viewing the informational brochure, or the frequently asked questions.
Enrollment Labs
The UCF Human Resources Benefits Section offers enrollment labs to assist employees in completing their insurance enrollments. During these one-on-one sessions, key features of benefit plans can be compared, and issues that need to be considered when making election decisions can be addressed.
The sessions are available by appointment only. To make an appointment, call or email the Human Resources Benefits section: call (407) 823-2771 or email Benefits@ucf.edu