The below message was sent to faculty and staff on September 10, 2026.
Dear Faculty & Staff Colleagues,
Open Enrollment is right around the corner, and this year we will make a one-time conversion to shift our benefit plan year from the current November 1 – October 31 schedule to a January 1 – December 31 schedule. This far more common structure will allow our benefits plan year to align with the calendar year, as well as the annual flexible spending account election periods, and if applicable, when other employers hold their annual enrollments (e.g., when a Bryn Mawr employee's spouse is making their annual elections).
To make this shift, we will hold two Open Enrollment periods, as outlined below. Thereafter, we will have open enrollment each November for the following calendar year.
| Open Enrollment | Coverage Period | Workday Enrollment Period | Key Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Enrollment #1 (Short Plan Year) | 11/1/26 - 12/31/26 (2-month transition) | 9/18/26 - 10/2/26 | Details and benefit guides will be distributed on September 16, 2026 |
| Open Enrollment #2 (Calendar Year 2027) | 1/1/27 - 12/31/27 (12-month plan year going forward) | 11/4/26 - 11/18/26 | Information will be distributed on or before November 2, 2026 |
Why Two Open Enrollments Are Needed
Federal rules limit a benefit plan year to 12 months, so we can't simply stretch our current plan year to 14 months to reach January 1st. Instead, we'll run a short 2-month "bridge" plan year (for coverage in November–December 2026), followed immediately by our new 12-month calendar plan year, for coverage beginning January 1, 2027. This approach is necessary to ensure your pre-tax medical, dental, and vision contributions remain exempt from federal income and FICA taxes throughout the transition.
We hope you're able to join us at the following events. We are here to help you through the two open enrollments and are available to answer questions and help you make your elections in Workday.
Contact benefits@brynmawr.edu if you have any questions.
Save the Dates: Wellness & Benefits Open Enrollment
| Date & Time | Event | What It's About | Zoom Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/15/26 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Fall into Wellness Great Hall | A full day of on-campus wellness activates, including:
| In-person |
| 9/15/26 | TIAA Individual Counseling Sessions | Register for sessions at tiaa.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-842-2252, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET). | |
| 9/16/26 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | TIAA Financial Wellness Presentation. Old Library 224 | Learn about Roth, an after-tax retirement plan contribution option. | In-person |
| 9/22/26 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Benefits Fair Great Hall | Great Hall
Thank you to the President's Office for sponsoring Coffee Hour (9:30 - 10:30 AM) | In-person |
| 9/23/26 10:00 - 11:00 AM | OE Webinar | Details to be announced. Can't make it to the OE event on 9/22? Join us virtually to learn about the Open Enrollment #1 (Short Plan Year, for coverage Nov-Dec 2026) | Zoom Link |
| 9/24/26 10:00 - 11:00 AM | Virtual HR Drop-In Sessions | Stop by virtually with quick questions about Open Enrollment — no appointment needed. | Zoom link |
| 9/24/26 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | OE HR Office Hours Dorothy Vernon Room | Drop in with your Open Enrollment questions and/or receive assistance with entering your elections in Workday. | In-person |
| 9/29/26 1:00 PM | Virtual HR Drop-In Session | Stop by virtually with quick questions about Open Enrollment — no appointment needed. | Zoom link |