Three reasons it’s important to complete annual enrollment

Annual enrollment for 2023 benefits is October 24 through November 11. While it’s tempting to think about your benefits only when you need them, it’s important to use this time to make sure you’ll have the coverage you want next year.

Here are three reasons everyone should complete annual enrollment each year.

1. It serves as a yearly checkup for your benefits. Just like you test the smoke detectors in your home, see your doctor for an annual checkup, and take care of other important tasks, make it a point every year to review the benefits available to you and the associated costs. Start by logging on to Benefits Connect before annual enrollment begins to review your current benefits and enrolled family members as well as any beneficiary designations. Then, starting October 24, log on to review the benefits available to you for 2023 and to make new elections for coverage effective January 1. Even if you don’t plan to make any changes, you should still log on to Benefits Connect to review the 2023 costs for the coverage you currently have, so you can budget accordingly.
2. Things change. Take a moment to consider how your situation may have changed in the past year and how any changes may affect the benefits you want for 2023. For example, did you get married or divorced? If you’re married, has your spouse started a new job and now has access to their own benefits coverage? Does your adult child no longer need to be covered as a dependent? During annual enrollment, you can add or remove family members from your coverage as needed. It’s also a good time to review and update any beneficiary designations to make sure they reflect your wishes.
3. It’s your only chance to elect benefits coverage for 2023. Once annual enrollment ends November 11, you won’t have another opportunity to enroll for benefits or make changes to your coverage until fall of 2023 for benefits effective January 1, 2024, unless you have a qualifying life event during the year.

With these things in mind, give your benefits the time and attention they deserve during annual enrollment. Starting October 24, log on to Benefits Connect to review your 2023 choices and costs and make your elections by November 11, for coverage effective January 1, 2023.