Open Enrollment for Retirees
2026 Open Enrollment takes place September 14 through October 9. Changes made during Open Enrollment take effect January 1, 2027.
Are you an Active Member?
Visit Open Enrollment for Active Members to get Open Enrollment information specific to our active members.
Health Plan Changes for 2027
Find Annual Health Plan Changes for details on health plans, service areas, and benefit design changes for 2027.
Open Enrollment Member Webinar
We're hosting a one hour, 15 minute Open Enrollment Member Webinar on Wednesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. PT. This webinar will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Join us as we share information about 2027 health benefit design and plan changes, guide you to Open Enrollment resources available online and in myCalPERS, and get live answers to your Open Enrollment questions.
We encourage you to review the webinar topics (PDF).
Behavioral Health & Wellness Programs by Health Plan
Discover the wide range of behavioral health and wellness programs offered through your health plan. Visit the Behavioral Health Programs by Health Plan and Health & Wellness Programs by Health Plan pages for detailed information on mental health services, substance use support, fitness programs, preventive care services, and other resources tailored to support your well-being.
Dental & Vision
2026 Open Enrollment for State of California and California State University (CSU) sponsored dental and vision plans is September 14 to October 9.
Access Dental & Vision Benefits for more information and details on how to make changes to your dental and vision plan outside of Open Enrollment.
For State of California members, beginning January 1, 2027, CalHR makes more dental plan options available to employees and retirees. This includes new dental plans from Delta Dental and MetLife.
2027 Plan Choices:
- Employees can choose from six PPO plans and two prepaid dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) plans
- Retirees can choose from four PPO plans and two prepaid (DHMO) plans
Dental plans no longer available effective January 1, 2027:
- Western Dental
- Premier Access
- MetLife Enhanced DHMO
If affected, explore your dental plan options and choose a new plan during Open Enrollment:
- Employees should contact your employer’s Human Resources Department.
- Retirees can change plans through your myCalPERS account.
If you do not choose a new plan during Open Enrollment, you will be automatically enrolled in MetLife Select DHMO.
To learn more, visit CalHR’s Retiree Dental Benefits.
Prepare for Open Enrollment
It's important to review the details of your health enrollment and understand how health benefit changes may impact you and your dependents. To prepare for Open Enrollment, you should:
Your Health Plan Statement will be available in myCalPERS on September 8. When you review it, ensure the health enrollment information is accurate. Use A Guide to Understanding Your Health Plan Statement if you have questions about the information on your Health Plan Statement.
Will your plan still be available next year, or is there a better option for you? If you change plans, will you still have access to your preferred doctors and/or specialists? Use How to Choose a Health Plan (PDF) as a checklist of factors to consider and resources to guide you as you explore your options.
- myCalPERS: Log in and use the Search Health Plans tool to find the best health plan for you and your family.
- Beginning on September 8, you can compare 2027 monthly premiums; find plans your doctors, specialists, or medical groups participate in; compare benefits and costs; and access member satisfaction ratings for each plan.
- Retiree Plans & Rates: Access a full listing of 2027 health plans, premiums, and health plan websites and phone numbers. Access Evidence of Coverage and Summary of Benefits publications (available by September 14).
- Eligibility & Enrollment: Learn about the CalPERS Health Program, including eligibility requirements and general enrollment information.
- Online Health Enrollments: Make health enrollment changes through your myCalPERS account.
- 2027 Open Enrollment Newsletter: Review 2027 health program highlights, notable health plan changes, and important health reminders (available by September 8).
- 2027 Health Benefit Summary (PDF): Compare covered services, co-payments, and benefits for each CalPERS health plan.
- Medical Board of California: Learn how the state is protecting health care consumers and access to quality medical care.
Making Changes During Open Enrollment
During Open Enrollment, you can:
- Add eligible dependents
- Remove dependents
- Cancel your existing CalPERS health coverage
- Enroll in a CalPERS health plan if you don't currently have coverage
You can make Open Enrollment changes online through your myCalPERS account. Refer to A Guide to Changing Your Health Coverage for instructions on how to make a health plan change online. You can also make changes in writing by mailing your request to Health Benefits at P.O. Box 942715, Sacramento, CA 94229-2715, or calling us at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).
If you aren't making changes to your coverage, no action is needed.
Important Health Enrollment Reminders
- Be aware that a medical group ending its contract with a health plan and changes to memoranda of understanding, bargaining unit agreements, or employer contribution amounts doesn't create a qualifying event to change plans outside of Open Enrollment.
- If you change your health plan, you’ll receive new ID cards from your new health plan, not from CalPERS. Contact your health plan directly if you need additional cards.
- Your new health plan takes effect January 1, 2027.
- Carefully review your pay warrant to ensure the health plan premium deduction is made when you change health plans, enroll for the first time, or add/delete dependents.
- If your January 2027 warrant doesn't show the new premium deduction, you should find the premium payment adjustment in a subsequent pay period.
- If you don't find the correct health plan premium deduction applied in your February 2027 warrant, contact us.
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