The Benefits Open Enrollment period is currently underway and will end on October 31, 2025. Even if you do not want to make any changes in your benefits elections for 2026, some plans require that you enroll each year to continue your participation.

Be sure to enroll if you wish to participate in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2026, including Health Care FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Day Care FSA. You must enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) each year if you choose a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The Medical Opt-Out Incentive requires re-enrollment each year. Employees must choose the Medical Opt-Out Incentive when electing benefits; declining medical coverage is not enrolling in the Opt-Out Incentive. Those enrolled in family Accident Insurance must enroll if they wish to participate in 2026.

Employees may attend a virtual presentation, “Benefits 2026: What You Need to Know,” to learn about next year’s plan changes, their benefit election options, and the decisions they need to make by the Oct. 31 deadline. In-person sessions and help enrolling in benefits will be offered at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on October 14. Find details and other resources to help with benefits enrollment at benefits.wisc.edu/2026.

Through UW–Madison’s annual workplace giving campaign, Partners in Giving, employees join together to make a difference in our communities and beyond by raising funds to support hundreds of local, state, national, and international charities. The active fall campaign is Oct. 6–Dec. 2, though donations can be accepted through May 15, 2026. If giving through payroll deduction, your pledge should be made during the fall campaign. Learn more, including how you can give online or through a mailed or emailed pledge form, at giving.wi.gov.

On Oct. 1, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer and Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska sent a message to all students, faculty, and staff regarding the shutdown of all non-essential federal government operations. Though this event is concerning for our campus operations and research enterprise, campus leaders have been preparing for this possibility over recent weeks and have planned for multiple scenarios. During the shutdown, the university’s goals are to provide guidance and advocacy for our community and limit disruption on campus to the maximum extent possible. Campus leaders are monitoring developments and potential impacts and will continue to communicate with the community and shared governance. The Office of Federal Relations will also post broader campus updates on an as-needed basis.