Benefits Open Enrollment: What's New for 1199 SEIU, Local 100, MEBA, and MM&P

What's New In 2026

Important Reminders

Review Beneficiaries

Update your beneficiary information for life insurance (CUBES) and retirement plans (TIAA/Vanguard).

Qualified Life Status Change

You can update benefits elections on CUBES if you experience a Qualified Life Status Change event such as marriage or divorce, or birth or adoption of a child. You have 31 days from the eligible event to make updates. Learn More.

New Process for Dependent Verification

Columbia University is now using a two-document verification process for all new spouses joining the medical, dental or optional vision plans. For spouses, employees need to provide a marriage certificate and an additional proof of address. Learn More.

Learn About Tax Savings Accounts

All tax savings accounts can save you money by setting aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for expenses you will incur throughout the year. These include a healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HC FSA), a Dependent Care FSA (including the Child Care Benefit, Local 100 only) and the Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program. Learn More.

2026 Tax Savings Accounts

* IRS limits are subject to change.

Enrollment Information

How to Enroll in Benefits

The Columbia University Benefits Enrollment System (CUBES) gives you secure access to personalized information about your benefits. CUBES is available 24/7 to enroll online anytime from anywhere during the annual benefits Open Enrollment period.

  1. Go CUBES to Enroll
     
  2. Log in with your UNI and password
     
  3. Confirm access using multifactor authentication (DUO).

    Note: You must enroll in your 2026 benefits by November 21, 2025.

    Remember: The choices you make during Open Enrollment will stay in effect all year—unless you experience a Qualified Life Status Change
  4. Select "Get Started" to make your elections.
     
  5. Be sure to "Checkout" in order to save and submit your elections.

What Happens If I Don't Enroll

You will no longer have coverage for:

  • Healthcare FSA
  • Dependent Care FSA

You will also be ineligible to newly enroll in the following Voluntary Benefits:

  • Accident Insurance
  • Specified Disease Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Legal Services with MetLife
  • Universal Life with long-term care insurance

You will be automatically re-enrolled in your current:

  • Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP)
  • Voluntary Benefits

Local 100: For 2025, you will be automatically re-enrolled in your current Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance. You will not be re-enrolled in the Child Care Benefit.

Disclaimers

The Benefits Brochure and Open Enrollment website summarize changes to the benefits programs that are available to benefits-eligible employees of Columbia University. This communication is intended to be a Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) to the Medical Plans and other benefits programs. It does not include important information about exclusions and limitations.

For additional details of benefits coverage, eligibility, limitations and exclusions, you must refer to the Summary Plan Description (SPD) and the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC). You may also want to request to receive a paper copy of an SPD, SBC or SMM by contacting the Columbia Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000.

As a requirement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Columbia University must provide a SBC to all participants and their dependents. The SBC is designed to provide you with an easy-to-understand summary about a health plan’s benefits and coverage and to help you better understand and evaluate your health insurance choices. You are entitled to receive these Plan documents under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). You also have other important rights and protections under ERISA, which are explained in more detail in the SPDs.

If there are any discrepancies between the information in the Brochure publication, website, or verbal representations and the Plan documents, the Plan documents will always govern. Columbia University reserves the right to change or terminate these benefits Plans at any time. The Brochure publication and website are in no way intended to imply a contract of employment. The Columbia University Group Benefit Plan (the “Plan”) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

 

Questions?

Columbia Benefits Service Center

Contact:

212-851-7000
[email protected]

Open Enrollment Hours:

Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Your Benefits

Columbia University offers a range of benefits to help you and your dependents stay healthy, build long-term financial security, meet educational and professional goals, and more. Explore your options for health coverage, tax savings, life insurance, and voluntary benefits.