Monday, October 6, 2025

FIU wouldn’t be the vibrant, unstoppable community it is without the passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our workforce.

This special edition of the HR News & Updates is all about YOU and your benefits, highlighting the tools, resources, and programs designed to support your health and future.

Test your FIU benefits knowledge and see if you can bust the benefit myths in our Benefit Mythbusters Quiz. Look through the Open Enrollment information below to answer all five questions correctly and submit no later than Friday, October 31 to be entered into a special chance drawing!

Open Enrollment Period:

Monday, October 13 - Friday, October 31

Benefits-eligible employees will have the opportunity to make changes to their current health plan options such as changing, adding or dropping their eligible dependents during the Open Enrollment Period beginning Monday, October 13 at 8 a.m., through Friday, October 31 at 6 p.m. Changes made during this period will go into effect on Thursday, January 1, 2026.  

Make the most out of your health plan benefit options and mark your calendars for upcoming events!

Questions? Contact the Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to CRCA at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.

Key Plan Changes for Plan Year 2026

New Life Insurance Provider: MetLife

• Securian will no longer serve as the Basic and Optional Term Life provider for Plan Year 2026.
• Effective Thursday, January 1, 2026, Metropolitan Life Insurance (MetLife) will become the new provider for the State of Florida's Basic Life and Optional Term Life.
• Current Basic Life and Optional Term Life enrollments, including beneficiary designations, will be automatically carried over to MetLife.
• For Plan Year 2026, optional term life rates will decrease. New plan details and premium rate information is available on the MyBenefits.MyFlorida.com website under Life Insurance.
• Rates and plan coverage information will be mailed by MetLife to members during Open Enrollment.
• Evidence of Insurability (EOI) Requirement | Employees will be required to complete EOI documentation during Open Enrollment if they:
• Elect coverage for the first time.
• Increase their current Optional Term Life coverage by more than one coverage tier.
• Increase their current Optional Term Life coverage to an amount greater than five (5) times their annual earnings or more than $500,000 in coverage. Employees required to submit EOI documentation should contact MetLife directly at 1-844-222-9104.

Cigna Hospital Supplemental Insurance Plan Premium Changes

• For Plan Year 2026, Cigna’s Hospital Supplemental Insurance premium will decrease.
• Employees who are currently enrolled and do not make any plan changes will have their premiums automatically adjusted. A premium change notification was sent by Cigna to current policyholders on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
• New premium rate information is available on the MyBenefits.MyFlorida.com website under Other Supplemental Insurance.

Savings and Spending Accounts

• Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution Limits for 2026

The IRS has announced the Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Annual Maximum Contribution Amount for 2026:

• Individual $4,400 (increase of $100)
• Family $8,750 (increase of $200)
• Age-based (55+) catch-up contributions remain at $1,000/year.

• Dependent Care (FSA) Limit Increase
• Single or Married, filing jointly $7,500 (increase of $2,500)
• Married, filing separately $3,750 (increase of $1,250)
• Review important deadline information regarding Savings and Spending Account benefit plans:
• March 15 is the last day to incur claims for the current plan year, and you must submit all claims by April 30 of the following plan year.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• For Healthcare and Limited Purpose FSA, the Carryover Amount remains at $660 (any amount over $660 will be forfeited).
• Review important deadline information regarding Savings and Spending Account benefit plans:
• December 31 is the last day to incur claims for the current plan year, and you must submit all claims by April 15 of the following plan year.
• Changes to contribution limits for FSAs are pending IRS announcement.



• Visit the MyBenefits.MyFlorida.com website for the most updated limit amounts and deadlines.

Group Whole Life Insurance Special Open Enrollment offered through Gabor Financial Solutions



• Group Whole Life Insurance provides permanent protection with premiums that never increase, allowing employees to ensure financial security for their families.
• Employees may apply for up to $100,000 of Guaranteed Issue coverage by answering a few simple questions.
• For plan details, eligibility, and enrollment process with Gabor Financial Solutions, visit FIU Special Open Enrollment for Group Whole Life Insurance.

How To Make Changes During Open Enrollment

You can make changes online on the People First portal or call the People First Service Center at 866-663-473 (TTY: 866-221-0268), Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., ET, during the Open Enrollment period.

Questions? Contact the Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Scholarship Opportunities Just For YOU!

Are you or your dependent(s) currently pursuing a degree at FIU? Please make sure to explore the exclusive scholarships available to our workforce.

Applications are open until Monday, November 3, 2025, for the following scholarships:

• Berta D. Villares Book Scholarship: Available to eligible faculty and staff only.
• Generations Ahead Scholarship Program: Available to eligible faculty, staff, and/or their eligible dependents.

Be sure to check out the rest of our scholarships to take advantage of this benefit!

Questions? Contact the Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

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