October is just around the corner, which means the MSU Benefits Open Enrollment period (October 1-31) is about to begin for benefit-eligible employees. Please use the following checklist to help guide you through Open Enrollment and be sure to make your benefit selections for the 2025 plan year between October 1-31.
1. Determine your benefit needs.
During Open Enrollment (October 1-31), you may enroll in, change, or cancel coverage in the following benefits:
- Health
- Dental
- Flexible spending accounts (health or dependent care)
- Life or accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Voluntary vision, legal, or critical illness insurance.
Carefully review your Open Enrollment guide and choose the best benefit plans for your family. You may not change the above benefits outside of the Open Enrollment period unless you have a qualifying life event, so review your options and take action in October.
2. Complete the spouse or other eligible individual (OEI) Affidavit.
If you want to cover a spouse or OEI on your health care plan in 2025, you MUST complete the Affidavit online through the EBS Portal every Open Enrollment period. Find instructions to complete the affidavit as part of Open Enrollment. After completing Open Enrollment in the EBS Portal you will receive a confirmation email statement. To receive the confirmation email, you must complete all the Open Enrollment prompts in the EBS Portal and then review and save your plan selections (even if you made no changes); you cannot simply answer the affidavit question and exit the portal.
3. Review important reminders for the 2025 plan year.
While there are no significant changes to your benefit plan options for the 2025 plan year, we encourage you to review important reminders on page 6 of your Open Enrollment guide.
4. Participate in the MSU Benefits Fair or an HR Site Lab.
- MSU Benefits Fair: We will have an in-person benefits fair on Thursday, October 3 from Noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Breslin Student Events Center on campus. MSU benefit providers and HR staff will be available to answer questions or help you enroll in your benefits on-site.
(Updated September 30) Flu shot appointments at the Fair are no longer available, but appointments for an in-pharmacy flu shot can be made with MSU Health Care Pharmacy. - HR Site Labs: MSU HR will offer site labs on October 16 (virtual), October 22 (in-person at the International Center), and October 31 (in-person at the HR building). Consider attending if you have questions about your benefit options or need assistance with enrollment.
5. Make your changes online before October 31.
You must participate in Open Enrollment between October 1-31 (view enrollment instructions) to change your benefit selections or cover a spouse or OEI on your benefit plans.
We hope this checklist is helpful as you prepare for and participate in Open Enrollment this year. You can find all the details about Open Enrollment on the HR website, including links to the appropriate Open Enrollment guide, enrollment instructions, and detailed benefits information from our providers.
Questions? We’re happy to help! We encourage you to attend the MSU Benefits Fair or an HR Site Lab to ask questions. You may also contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 (toll-free: 800-353-4434).