đź“… Overview
Annual Enrollment takes place each year from July 15–31. During this time, benefits‑eligible employees can make insurance elections or changes for the upcoming plan year (September 1–August 31).
All elections and changes are completed in My UT Benefits.
⚠️ Important: Annual Enrollment deadlines are firm and cannot be extended—even if you are out of town, off‑site, or away from campus.
âś… What You Need to Do
Most employees can complete Annual Enrollment in just a few steps:
- Review plan changes and premiums for the upcoming plan year (updated by UT System Office of Employee Benefits by July 15)
- Make elections or updates in My UT Benefits by July 31.
- Submit required documentation (if applicable) by August 15.
🗓️ Important Dates at a Glance
- July 15–31: Annual Enrollment window
- July 31: Deadline to submit elections in My UT Benefits
- August 15: Deadline to submit required documentation (if applicable)
- September 1: New coverage begins
đź”— Resources & Updates
- Check for plan changes and premium changes updated by July 15 at UT System Office of Employee Benefits Annual Enrollment
- Download the Annual Enrollment 2026 Calendar to track key dates.
- Watch for emails in July from:
- UT System Office of Employee Benefits
- UT Austin Human Resources
- Read the HR Insights Newsletter, emailed monthly and posted on the Human Resources homepage.
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t participate in Annual Enrollment?
If you take no action during Annual Enrollment, your coverage will automatically continue or change according to plan rules, effective September 1.
UT FLEX Flexible Spending Accounts
You must enroll every year to participate in UT FLEX Health or Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts. If you do not actively enroll, you will not be able to participate for the new plan year.
Insurance Plans
Coverage for the following plans will generally continue automatically if you are currently enrolled:
- Medical*
- Dental
- Vision
- Voluntary Life
- Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Short‑Term Disability
- Long‑Term Disability
* UT SHIP: Dependent coverage must be elected each year through Academic HealthPlans by September 15, or coverage will end on August 31.
What Documentation Requirements can I expect?
Only some employees are required to submit documentation in addition to completing enrollment.
You may need to submit documentation if you:
- Are adding a dependent to coverage for the first time
- Are electing or increasing voluntary life or disability coverage
- Are using the Premium Sharing Credit
| Documentation | What It's For | How to Submit |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence of Insurability (EOI) | Health questionnaire required when electing or increasing voluntary life or disability coverage | Online form provided in My UT Benefits |
| Evidence of Eligibility (EOE) | Proof of dependent relationship | Upload in My UT Benefits |
| Evidence of Waiver (EOW) | Proof of other non–State of Texas health coverage to use the Premium Sharing Credit | Upload in My UT Benefits |
Employees who waive UT SELECT Medical and enroll in the Premium Sharing Credit, with proof of non‑State of Texas health coverage, may apply half of the UT SELECT premium sharing amount toward dental, vision, and voluntary AD&D premiums. VA health care does not qualify as other insurance.
What is the enrollment period for the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP)?
Academic Graduate Student (AGS) employees have additional enrollment steps related to the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP), also known as AcademicBlue.
- UT SHIP enrollment period: July 15 – September 15
- UT SHIP waiver period: August 16 – September 15
UT SHIP enrollment and waivers must be completed through Academic HealthPlans (AHP) using:
- The AHP enrollment system, or
- The AHP waiver system
⚠️ Dependent coverage for UT SHIP must be elected every year by September 15. If dependent coverage is not re‑elected, it will end on August 31.
All other benefit elections for AGS employees must be completed in My UT Benefits between July 15–31.
Annual Enrollment FAQs specific to AGS employees will be updated by July 15.
Contact Info
Submit a ticket in the HR Portal for additional assistance.
HR Portal