This year’s University System of Georgia benefits open enrollment will be held Oct. 27 through Nov. 7. Visit the USG Benefits Open Enrollment website to review updates and begin making selections.
Open enrollment takes place once a year for eligible faculty and staff to sign up for health insurance and other benefits, adjust their current plans or discontinue coverage.
This is an active enrollment year, which means action is required to ensure that all benefits and associated costs match employee circumstances. Complete 2026 enrollment elections and certifications through OneUSG Connect by navigating to the “Benefits” drop-down menu and selecting “Manage My Benefits.”
Faculty and staff enrolled in a USG health care plan must certify their tobacco use and working spouse status, if applicable, during the benefits open enrollment period. If action is not taken to complete these certifications, employees will default to the $150 non-refundable monthly surcharge for each item. All eligible employees must log into the OneUSG Connect portal to update that certification status.
Faculty and staff who meet certain eligibility requirements may also voluntarily donate unused sick leave to a Shared Leave Pool for fellow faculty and staff. Benefits open enrollment is the only opportunity to enroll in or make donations to the Shared Sick Leave Pool for 2026.
The UHR benefits team will hold virtual office hours on the following dates and times. Zoom links can be found here.
- Thursday, Oct. 30, 2-3p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 4, 10-11a.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 6, 3-5 p.m.
USG is also hosting live, virtual presentations regarding 2026 open enrollment. Registration is required. Active employee presentations will be held Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon and on Nov. 3 from 2-4 p.m. Registration links can be found on the 2026 Benefits for Active Employees webpage.
The USG open enrollment presentation for pre-65 retirees will be held Oct. 29 from 2-4 p.m. More information is available here. Medicare open enrollment is available Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
The USG would like to remind all faculty and staff that new health insurance cards will not be issued this year unless the employee makes a change to the plan they are enrolled in. Open enrollment is also a good time to review and update beneficiary information for life insurance, retirement plans and HSA plan (if applicable).
For questions regarding 2026 benefits open enrollment, please contact One USG Connect Benefits at 1-844-587-4236 or University Human Resources at 706-542-2222 or hrweb@uga.edu.