What's New In 2027
Important Reminders
Review Beneficiaries
Update your beneficiary information for life insurance (CUBES) and retirement plans (TIAA/Vanguard).
Tuition Programs
College Coach gives parents/guardians of 9th-12th graders access to college admissions and finance experts who can offer impartial guidance and help maximize your child’s success. Columbia also has partnered with TIAA and Savi to provide assistance in navigating student loan debt, repayment plans and federal student loan program. Learn more.
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.
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 eligible expenses you will incur throughout the year. These include the Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP), Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HC FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DC FSA). Learn More.
2027 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.
- Go CUBES to Enroll
- Log in with your UNI and password
- Confirm access using multifactor authentication (DUO).
Note: You must enroll in your 2027 benefits by November 2 - 20, 2026.
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.
What Happens If I Don't Enroll
You will no longer have coverage for:
- Healthcare FSA
- Dependent Care FSA
- Child Care Benefit
You will also be ineligible to newly enroll in the following Voluntary Benefits:
- Accident Insurance
- Specified Disease Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Legal Services
You will be automatically re-enrolled in your current year benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- Optional Vision
- Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP)
- Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits
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.