This year’s open enrollment will be passive, meaning if you do not make any changes, your current benefits will continue for the upcoming short plan year (except for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), which require re-enrollment each year).

In Spring 2026, we will hold an active open enrollment, during which you will be required to make new benefit elections. If no action is taken at that time, your existing benefits will end.

Please note that group life, voluntary life and AD&D, and long-term disability insurance are not included in the open enrollment process.

New for 2026

• Open Enrollment Dates: This year’s open enrollment will run from October 20–31, a shorter window than usual.
• Coverage Elections: Employees will make elections for state medical, prescription, and dental plans, as well as NMSU-administered plans (vision, flexible spending accounts, accident, and critical illness, and hospital).
• Plan Year Shift: The October enrollment will cover a shortened plan year from January–June 2026. Another open enrollment will take place in spring 2026 for the new plan year starting July 1, 2026.
• Voluntary Benefits: Voluntary benefits through Unum (accident, critical illness, and hospital) have been renewed with lower rates and expanded hospital coverage.

We know employees will have questions, and we ask for your patience as our Benefits team adapts processes for these changes. Updates will be shared by email, in the Hotline newsletter, and on here. Please check the site for the most up-to-date information.

Quick Links

• 2026 NMSU Open Enrollment Presentation
• 2026 Open Enrollment Memo 9/11/2025
• 2026 Open Enrollment Q&A
• 2026 Open Enrollment Shortened Plan Year Memo 10/17/2025
• 2026 Open Enrollment Shortened Plan Year FAQ

Upcoming Events

• Zoom Q&A Sessions: Every weekday, October 21–October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
• Live Presentations: October 20, 2025 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)