It’s time to select your benefits for the year ahead. Syracuse University provides comprehensive benefits—from health coverage to retirement plans, wellness programs to caregiving resources—designed to keep you and your family healthy, secure and supported.
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefits, make changes for 2026 and explore programs and resources you may not be using. Outside of this window, you can only modify most benefits if you experience a qualifying life event.
Take action Nov. 3-14: Log in to MySlice to complete your 2026 benefits enrollment. If you do not take action, your 2025 coverage continues automatically, except Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which require active enrollment each year.
Contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 with questions or to request an accommodation.
Helpful Resources
- Dental and vision coverage automatically carries over. As the second year of a two-year commitment, your current elections remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2026, unless you have a qualifying life event.
- No increases to deductibles, copays or coinsurance for any benefit plan.
- No contribution changes with the exception of health care. Nationwide, health care costs continue to rise, resulting in higher contributions for both the University and employees. Health plan contributions will increase by $12 to $60 per month depending on the plan and coverage tier. If you qualify based on household income and size, apply for Schedule B to pay lower monthly contributions.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment. FSA elections don’t carry over automatically—you must enroll each year during Open Enrollment. The Health Care FSA limit has increased to $3,400 with a maximum carryover amount of $680 to 2027. The Dependent Care FSA limit has increased to $7,500 per household ($3,750 if married filing separately) with no carryover allowed.
- New IRS rule for retirement catch-up contributions. If you are age 50 or older and earned $145,000 or more in 2025 from Syracuse University, your catch-up contributions to the Voluntary Retirement Plan will automatically be made as after-tax Roth 403(b) contributions. Learn more on the Retirement Planning webpage.
- Application deadlines approaching for Dependent Tuition, Schedule B and the Dependent Care Subsidy.
- Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available on campus on Nov. 13 through Wegmans Pharmacy. Learn more on the Wellness Initiative webpage.
- Log in to MySlice between Nov. 3–14 and click the Open Enrollment tile on the Employee Home page. Need help? Visit Self-Serv or call 315.443.2677 for NetID or password assistance.
- Select your 2026 benefits. Review plan options, add or remove dependents, elect an FSA, update beneficiaries and more.
- Click finish to save your selections. You can make changes any time through Nov. 14.
- Review your confirmation statement sent to your Syracuse University email to ensure your 2026 plan selections are correct.
Multiple resources are available to help with benefit decisions:
- HR Shared Services: Available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 315.443.4042. Appointments are available on request.
- Open Enrollment benefits webinar: Watch a recorded overview of 2026 benefit offerings anytime.
- In-person campus sessions: Meet with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and Human Resources representatives to discuss any personal benefit questions. Employee Benefits Assessment Council (EBAC) members will also be available to receive input and feedback on the University’s benefits program.
- Excellus BCBS (medical and dental plan inquiries): Contact 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220), Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Optum Rx (prescription inquiries): Contact 866.854.2945 (TTY: 711), available 24/7.
- TIAA (retirement planning): Schedule a consultation with a University-dedicated financial consultant at 855.842.CUSE (TTY: 800.842.2755) or sign up online.
- View all other benefit vendor contact information online.
Open Enrollment is a good to review your beneficiaries, add or remove dependents and update personal information.
Reminders:
- When adding dependents, you must provide proof of eligibility (i.e., marriage license, birth certificate, adoption papers, legal custody documents, etc.). Review criteria on the Benefits Eligibility Policy webpage.
- Update beneficiaries through MySlice (life insurance) or TIAA (retirement).
- Review personal information in MySlice, including your address, military status, tax withholding, direct deposit and emergency contacts.
Benefits to Review During Open Enrollment, Nov. 3-14
Choose from three comprehensive health plans with national and international medical coverage administered through Excellus BCBS and prescription drug coverage through Optum Rx. All three plans cover the same services – only your share of costs differs.
The following table highlights some key differences among the plans:
| Plan Detail | SUBlue | SUOrange | SUPro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network coverage | Provides in-network and out-of-network coverage | Provides in-network coverage only | Provides in-network and out-of-network coverage |
| Referrals | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Your cost when you use an in-network provider | Generally deductible and copays | Generally deductible and copays | Generally deductible and coinsurance |
| Schedule of benefits document | SUBlue for CY 2026 [PDF] | SUOrange for CY 2026 [PDF] | SUPro for CY 2026 [PDF] |
Employee contributions and coverage details are available on the health plan webpage.
Reduced Contributions Based on Income
You may qualify for lower health plan contributions under Schedule B based on household income and size. For 2026, households earning between $56,657 (household of one) and $169,972 (household of six or more) qualify for reduced contributions. Apply by Dec. 5 on the Schedule B webpage.
Important Reminders:
- SUOrange has no out-of-network coverage. You’ll pay the full cost for any out-of-network services. If your current provider may leave the Excellus BCBS network in 2026, consider enrolling in SUBlue or SUPro for out-of-network access, or find other in-network providers at the Excellus BCBS website.
- Prescription drug formulary updates. Optum Rx regularly reviews and updates its formulary for safety and proper medication use. You’ll receive notification if changes affect your prescriptions.
- Convenient prescription options. Home delivery through Optum Rx may help you save money. Visit the prescription drug benefit webpage for details. Faculty and staff can also use the full-service pharmacy at the Barnes Center at The Arch for prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, wellness supplies and more. Learn more on the pharmacy webpage.
Dental and vision coverage automatically carries over from 2025. As the second year of a two-year commitment, your current elections remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2026, unless you have a qualifying life event.
Two dental plans offered:
- Preventive Plan: Covers two annual cleanings and other basic services.
- Comprehensive Plan: Covers basic and major restorative services, including oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and orthodontics.
Both plans include in-network and out-of-network providers. Using in-network providers maximizes your benefits.
The VSP vision plan covers routine eye exams, contact lens care, glasses and frames. Consider contributing to a health care FSA to offset out-of-pocket vision and dental costs.
Employee contributions and coverage details are available on the dental and vision webpage.
New for 2026: The Health Care FSA limit has increased to $3,400 with a maximum carryover amount of $680 to 2027. The Dependent Care FSA limit has increased to $7,500 per household ($3,750 if married filing separately). Unused dependent care FSA funds do not carry over.
FSAs help you save on taxes by setting aside pre-tax dollars for health care or dependent care expenses—whether you’re enrolled in University health plans or not.
Important: FSA elections don’t transfer automatically to 2026. You must re-enroll during Open Enrollment.
2026 Flexible Spending Account Limits:
| Limits | Health Care FSA | Dependent Care FSA |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contribution | $3,400 per employee | $7,500 per household |
| Carryover Limit | $680 | N/A |
Health Care FSAs cover copays, coinsurance, deductibles, dental and vision expenses, prescriptions and eligible health care products from any health plan.
Dependent Care FSAs cover day care expenses for children under age 13 or adult dependents.
Health and Dependent Care FSAs have different rules for eligible expenses, fund access and claims deadlines. Review details and use the online calculators on the HealthEquity|EZ Receipts website or the FSA webpage.
The University provides tax-free dependent care assistance to households with annual incomes under $150,000.
Subsidy amounts (per dependent with a $3,000 annual household maximum):
- $1,500 for children under age 6
- $750 for children ages 6-12
- $750 for adult or disabled dependents
If approved, the University will deposit the subsidy directly into a Dependent Care FSA for use in 2026. Care must be provided by qualified caregivers.
Apply by Dec. 5 on the Dependent Care Subsidy Program webpage.
Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
The University provides life and AD&D insurance through MetLife, with options to purchase supplemental coverage for yourself and your family members at group rates.
A Statement of Health must be approved by MetLife before certain coverage becomes effective. Supplemental life insurance includes a valuable additional benefit—free will preparation [PDF].
Learn more on the Life Insurance webpage or the Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance webpage.
Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
Offered through The Standard, this benefit provides supplemental income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Review information about the policy and how this benefit integrates with the University’s other disability programs.
Benefits Available Year-Round
- Syracuse University Wellness Initiative: Workshops, webinars, challenges and resources for balanced, healthy living. Visit the wellness webpage.
- Carebridge, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP): Confidential, no cost counseling, referrals, work-life resources and crisis support for you and your dependents. Licensed counselors are available 24/7 at 800.437.0911 (TTY: 711). Learn more on the Carebridge webpage.
- Financial Wellness Resources: Access financial counseling and educational programs through TIAA and Carebridge to help navigate major life events. Learn more on the Financial Wellness webpage.
- Visit the WorkLife Benefits and Resources webpage for the complete benefits program and support resources.
- Care. for Business: Free premium membership to find child care, tutors, elder caregivers, pet sitters, house cleaners and more. Members also have access to exclusive discounts on hotels, pet insurance, AAA Roadside Assistance, theme parks and other services. Learn more on the Care. for Business webpage.
- Syracuse University Child Care Centers: On-site, full-day early childhood education and care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Learn more on the Child Care Centers webpage.
- Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement of up to $5,000 per child ($8,000 for simultaneous adoptions) for eligible expenses including agency fees, legal fees and medical costs. Learn more on the Adoption Assistance webpage.
- Additional Resources: Visit the WorkLife Benefits and Resources webpage for more support, including Carebridge, the University’s faculty and staff assistance program. Carebridge provides confidential mental health counseling and resources for parenting, caregiving and other work-life needs for you and your eligible dependents.
- Understand your retirement plan benefits: The University contributes 10% of your eligible pay to help you build your retirement savings after your first year of service (subject to annual maximums and waiting period waived for those who qualify). You can also boost your savings by making voluntary contributions at any time, up to the annual IRS limits, with additional catch-up contributions available if you’re age 50 or older.
- Review your retirement savings: While you can change contributions anytime, Open Enrollment is a great time to evaluate what you’re setting aside and ensure you’re on track for your future goals. Log in to TIAA to review your account balance and update voluntary contributions through the Open Enrollment tile in MySlice. Outside Open Enrollment, make changes through the HR/Benefits tile in MySlice or by submitting the Voluntary Salary Reduction Form to HR Shared Services.
- New IRS rule for age-based catch-up contributions: Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, if your Syracuse University 2025 Social Security wages (Form W-2, Box 3) exceed $145,000 (indexed for inflation), any Voluntary Retirement Plan contributions that are designated as age-based catch-up contributions will automatically be made as after-tax Roth 403(b) contributions. Learn more on the Retirement Planning webpage.
- 2026 retirement plan contribution limits: The 2026 contribution limits will be posted on the Retirement Planning webpage once announced by the IRS. TIAA will also email your personal 2026 maximum contribution limit to your University email account. You can begin or adjust your contributions at any time by completing the Syracuse University Voluntary Retirement Plan 403(b) Salary Reduction Form [PDF] or, if already enrolled, through the MySlice portal.
Faculty and staff have valuable access to tuition benefits for themselves and eligible dependents. Learn more on the tuition benefits webpage.
Dependent Tuition Application Deadlines for 2026-27
If you’re using or planning to use the Dependent Tuition Benefit for the 2026-27 academic year, apply through MySlice. The benefit requires annual application and approval each year.
First-Time Applications:
- Syracuse University Tuition Waiver: Nov. 15 (early decision); Feb. 1 (regular admission)
- Tuition Exchange: Nov. 15
- Cash Grant: May 1
Renewal Applications:
- Syracuse University Tuition Waiver: March 1
- Tuition Exchange: Feb. 1
- Cash Grant: May 1
Visit the Dependent Tuition Benefit webpage for complete details.
Provides home ownership assistance to faculty and staff purchasing, improving or living in homes near campus. Learn more on the Live Local webpage or contact the Office of Real Estate at realestate@syr.edu.
Explore special rates for auto and home insurance, discounts (including on season tickets for football, basketball and lacrosse) and more on the additional benefits webpage.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information within this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.