HUMAN RESOURCES

Northwestern is offering a one-time limited enrollment window that will allow those currently enrolled in the HSA Plus and HSA Essential medical plans to change to the PPO plan effective April 1, 2026.

Review the March 2026 Employee Matters Newsletter for benefits information regarding: staff parental leave 101 info session, leave of absence process for managers info session, Form 1095-C, 403(b) reminder, and Well-being programs.

To support the community with the recent changes to Northwestern’s medical plans, a one-time, limited enrollment window for 2026 coverage is available for eligible employees who did not enroll in a medical plan last Fall. The enrollment period ends on March 31, 2026.

Review the February 2026 Employee Matters Newsletter for benefits information regarding: info sessions for prospective retirees, FSA reminders, benefits feedback request, how to get answers to your medical and Rx questions, Form 1095-C, HSA Tax Forms, and Well-being programs.

The Enhanced Employee Reduced Tuition benefit (EER) will be reinstated for employees hired before January 1, 2026.

Review the January 2026 Employee Matters Newsletter for benefits information regarding: HSA investment webinar, enhanced dental benefits, HMO rewards program, 403(b) Roth Catch-up provisions webinar, and Well-being programs.

This message follows the What to Expect Next update sent on December 16 and highlights what you need to know now that the new benefits plan year has begun. Please read for key transition details and resources to help you use your benefits confidently in 2026. This message includes Behavioral Health Transition of Care options under the plan. 

As we prepare for 2026, here’s what to expect regarding your medical, prescription, and dental coverage.

There is an upcoming change to retirement plan rules under the SECURE 2.0 Act that applies to certain NU 403(b) retirement plan participants beginning January 1, 2026. The change only applies to you if you will be 50 or older in 2026 and your 2025 FICA wages exceed $150,000 (Form W-2 Box 3).

All "safe harbor" retirement plans require a regular notice to inform eligible employees of their rights and obligations under the plan, and the benefits to eligible employees in the form of matching and automatic contributions.

This is the annual notice to participants or eligible employees in the Northwestern University Retirement, Voluntary Savings and/or Welfare Benefit plans.

Open Enrollment for coverage in 2026 has started. Learn more about what is changing and action required during this period.

Prepare for Open Enrollment by staying informed. Review the resources available, register for a live Open Enrollment Presentation, and the Virtual Benefits & Well-being Benefits Fair.

Learn about the Medical and Rx Plans and resources for benefits-eligible Faculty and Staff. Changes effective January 1, 2026 - with enrollment during Open Enrollment.

We want to address some of the most pressing questions we have received over the last few days and clear up some misinformation about the changes.

To better contain costs for the University and its employees, Northwestern will transition to new medical, dental and drug prescription insurance providers for benefits-eligible employees beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Effective January 1, 2026, the medical plans will be administered by United Healthcare (UHC), the PPO dental plan will be administered by Delta Dental of Illinois (Delta), and the prescription drug plan will be administered by CVS Caremark (CVS).

As the University manages its overall costs, we also must adjust certain terms of our tuition benefits, with no changes to the Dependent Reduced, Dependent Portable or Employee Portable plans for current faculty and staff. Changes to the tuition plans will become effective January 1, 2026.

The current Legacy medical, dental and vision plans for Retirees aged 65 or older will end on January 1, 2026. Retirees under age 65 currently covered under the Legacy Plans will automatically continue coverage in 2026 under Northwestern’s new medical and dental insurance providers and a new prescription plan provider.