What's New In 2025
Updates to Benefits
Download the 2025 Benefits Brochure in PDF format.
Important Reminders
Pursue Your Retirement Goals
Retirement education is available all year. TIAA and Vanguard counselors provide one-on-one consultations, and Columbia also hosts regular retirement planning workshops focused on financial well-being. For dates and times, visit HR Events.
Local 100
You are eligible for Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance through the University. You may also be eligible for the Child Care Benefit—a University contribution to your Dependent Care FSA.
Retirement Contributions Changing
Beginning January 1, 2025, the catch-up contribution limit is increasing for those ages 50+. 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.
2025 Tax Savings Accounts
* IRS limits are subject to change.
Enrollment Information
Questions?
Columbia Benefits Service Center
Contact:
212-851-7000
[email protected]
Open Enrollment Hours:
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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
- Critical Illness 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.
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.
- Go CUBES to Enroll
- Log in with your UNI and password
- Confirm access using multifactor authentication (DUO).
Note: You must enroll in your 2025 benefits by November 22, 2024.
Remember: The choices you make during Open Enrollment will stay in effect all year—unless you experience a Qualified Life Status Change
- Select "Get Started" to make your elections.
- Be sure to "Checkout" in order to save and submit your elections.
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.
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.