The annual health benefit open enrollment period begins October 19, 2026 and ends November 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Open Enrollment
View all plan details and your 2027 per-paycheck contributions in the 2027 Benefits Guide!
Click here to view the 2027 Benefits Guide.
Annual Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for the 2027 plan year begins October 19, 2026, and ends November 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
For the 2027 plan year, you are not required to log in or submit new elections to keep your current benefits. If you take no action, your 2026 elections will automatically carry forward into 2027.
The one exception is your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA). These elections do not carry over and must be made during Open Enrollment if you want to participate in 2027.
Enrollment continues through Employee Navigator. Your username and password are the same as last year.Click here on October 19, to access Employee Navigator for Open Enrollment!
This year is a passive Open Enrollment, which means employees are not required to log in or submit new elections to keep your current benefits. If you take no action, your 2026 benefit elections will automatically carry forward into 2027.
The one exception is your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) elections. These do not carry over automatically and must be re-elected during Open Enrollment if you want to participate in 2027. HSA contributions can also be started, stopped, or changed at any time during the year.
Why Passive Enrollment?
With Employee Navigator now established and no major plan changes for 2027, Clark is moving to passive enrollment to make the process easier for employees who are satisfied with their current coverage.
Even though action is not required, Clark strongly encourages every employee to log in and review:
- Current benefit elections
- Dependent information
- Beneficiary designations
- Home address
What Requires Action?
• FSA: You must enroll and choose your 2027 contribution, even if it’s the same as last year.
Key Dates
- Open Enrollment Period: October 19 – November 2, 2026
- Deadline: 5:00 p.m. EST, November 2, 2026
- Coverage Effective Date: January 1, 2027
What’s New for 2026
- Coming Soon!
What Carries Forward Automatically?
If you take no action, these elections continue into 2027:
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Disability coverage
Voluntary benefits: Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, Accident, and Voluntary Supplemental
Using Employee Navigator
Through Employee Navigator you can review your current elections, compare 2027 plan options side by side, add or remove dependents, update beneficiaries, make changes to your 2027 benefits, and access plan summaries and premiums. The system is also available in Spanish: click your name in the upper right corner and select Español.
Forgot your login? Select “Forgot your password?” or “Forgot your username?” on the login page, or contact HR for help.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
To participate in a 2027 FSA, you must make a new election during Open Enrollment.
FSA elections do not carry over from year to year.
Benefits Fair
Join us for the 2027 Benefits Fair to meet our benefit partners, explore new offerings, and get your questions answered.
📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
📍 Higgins University Center, Tilton/Wetzel Rooms
🕐 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Representatives from Harvard Pilgrim, OptumRx, TIAA, Flores, Lockton, and other vendors will be on site to answer questions.
You can also get hands-on assistance with Employee Navigator enrollment.
Need Help?
Clark HR will host drop-in sessions during Open Enrollment — both in the HR Office (Geography Building, 3rd Floor) and at various campus locations — with computers available to assist employees in completing their online enrollment.
👉 [Benefits Drop-In: Fridays at 1pm EST]
👉 [AskHR Drop-In: Mondays at 3pm EST]
👉 One-on-one appointments available through AskHR
You may also contact HR directly:
📧 hr@clarku.edu
📞 508-793-7294
Enrolling in Benefits with Employee Navigator Instructional Video
Fiduciary Responsibility Reminder
Clark University, as the plan sponsor, has a fiduciary duty under ERISA to ensure the fair, accurate, and compliant administration of its employee benefit programs. Even under passive enrollment, reviewing your elections each year helps make sure your coverage reflects your intent.
Additional Information
- If you do not have computer access, you can complete your enrollment in the HR Office using a designated workstation.
- HR will also host drop-in sessions around campus with computers available throughout the enrollment period.
Questions?
Office of Human Resources and Organizational Excellence
📍 Geography Building, 3rd Floor
📧 jubradley@clarku.edu
📞 330-475-5369
