Health & insurance benefits
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Open Enrollment Is Coming!
At Northwestern, our faculty and staff enjoy a rich array of benefits designed to attract and retain talent. Open Enrollment is your opportunity each year to review and choose coverage options for you and your family. You will have access to Open Enrollment from Monday, October 28 at 8:00 am to Friday, November 15 at 5:00 pm. All changes made during this time will be effective January 1, 2020.
For more information on benefit plans for 2020, please review the Summary of Changes. Updates include a more generous birth and adoption leave policy for parents, as well as modest changes to select benefits in response to increased costs to the university over the last several years. We have attempted to limit the impact of these changes on current faculty and staff and to make changes only to benefits that have not recently increased in cost to you. This document will also be mailed to home addresses of all benefits-eligible faculty and staff closer to the beginning of Open Enrollment.
Attend a Benefits Presentation (Registration Not Required)
Chicago
- Friday, November 1, 2019 from 10-11 am, Lurie Medical Research Center, 303 E. Superior Chicago, IL 60611, Searle Seminar Room
- Friday, November 8, 2019 from 10-11 pm, Lurie Medical Research Center, 303 E. Superior Chicago, IL 60611, Searle Seminar Room
Evanston
- Thursday, October 31, Noon-1 pm, Norris Center, 1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208, Lake Room 203
Monday, November 4, 2-3 pm, Norris Center, 1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208, Lake Room 203
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful benefits support and peace of mind through competitive programs that include high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more.
Use our benefit-finder for an overview of all we have to offer.
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Benefit eligibility
University employees — like staff, faculty, visiting scholars — and their spouses and dependent children are eligible for benefits. Eligibility for benefits varies based on employment classification.Benefit changes
Change your benefit elections during Open Enrollment or when you experience an IRS Qualifying Event, such as adding a child to your family, getting married, or changing positions.New Faculty & Staff
To elect benefits online, you must take action within 31 days of your hire date. Please allow two weeks from the date of your elections submission for processing. Attend a New Employee Orientation: Benefits Session for more information.Help with benefits
Find resources that may be helpful as you manage your Northwestern benefits. If you have any questions or concerns — either during benefits enrollment or any time throughout the year — please don’t hesitate to contact us.