Welcome to your 2026 Benefits!
At CKE, quality and service are key ingredients in our recipe for success. But it’s not just our fresh and innovative menu that makes us Impossible to Ignore — it’s also our people. That’s why CKE proudly offers up a benefits package created with you in mind.
If you are a recently hired or re-hired employee, benefits start on the first of the month following your hire/rehire date. Please take the time to understand your benefit enrollment options below. When you are ready to enroll, click the Enroll Now! section below and follow all instructions!
At CKE, quality and service are key ingredients in our recipe for success. But it’s not just our fresh and innovative menu that makes us Impossible to Ignore — it’s also our people. That’s why CKE proudly offers up a benefits package created with you in mind.
If you are a recently hired or re-hired employee, benefits start on the first of the month following your hire/rehire date. Please take the time to understand your benefit enrollment options below. When you are ready to enroll, click the Enroll Now! section below and follow all instructions!
Frequently Asked Questions
When do my benefits start?
If you are a recently hired or re-hired employee, benefits start on the first of the month following your hire/rehire date.
If you were recently promoted into an AGM/RGM position, your benefits start on the first of the month following your promotion.
When you enroll, these elections will be in place until the end of the Plan Year, December 31, 2026.
If you were recently promoted into an AGM/RGM position, your benefits start on the first of the month following your promotion.
When you enroll, these elections will be in place until the end of the Plan Year, December 31, 2026.
How do I enroll?
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All Benefit enrollment elections will be made in CKE's new MyStar system. To get started, log into your MyStar profile and select "Manage My Benefits". This link will take you directly to your Open Enrollment.
*** Important *** Please be sure to complete the entire enrollment. Your benefits enrollment is now like an online shopping experience, where you add various coverages to your shopping cart and are displayed with a total cost per paycheck. Once you have made your elections, please be sure to check out and obtain a copy of your enrollment confirmation statement. If you do not complete the entire enrollment process and check out, your benefit enrollments will not be saved and you will not have coverage . |
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Who should complete Benefits enrollment?
We encourage all CKE employees to take the time to complete their available enrollment opportunities.
Full-time benefits-eligible employees have the option to enroll in one or all of CKE's Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA, Life, Disability, and Voluntary Benefit Plans. Even if you do not intend to enroll in benefits, you should take this opportunity to make sure that your beneficiaries on file for your Life insurance are correct and up to date. This is a great opportunity to make sure that you are enrolled in the plans that best fit your and your family's needs.
Full-time benefits-eligible employees are:
Full-time benefits-eligible employees have the option to enroll in one or all of CKE's Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA, Life, Disability, and Voluntary Benefit Plans. Even if you do not intend to enroll in benefits, you should take this opportunity to make sure that your beneficiaries on file for your Life insurance are correct and up to date. This is a great opportunity to make sure that you are enrolled in the plans that best fit your and your family's needs.
Full-time benefits-eligible employees are:
- Corporate Employees working for the Restaurant Support Center
- Assistant General Managers & Restaurant General Managers
What happens if i don't enroll?
If you do not enroll, you will not have coverage in 2026.
Changes cannot be made throughout the year and your next opportunity to enroll will be during Open Enrollment for the 2027 Plan Year. The exception to this is if you experience a qualified Life Event (marriage, birth, adoption, etc.). For more details, visit the Making Changes section of the this website.
Changes cannot be made throughout the year and your next opportunity to enroll will be during Open Enrollment for the 2027 Plan Year. The exception to this is if you experience a qualified Life Event (marriage, birth, adoption, etc.). For more details, visit the Making Changes section of the this website.
who are MY benefit providers?
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2026 Benefit Plans
2026 Medical - Cigna
Medical Insurance - Cigna
CKE's medical and pharmacy coverage are provided by Cigna.
When enrolling in coverage, you will want to make sure that you select the best coverage for you and your family.
Cigna offers (2) networks of covered providers and a variety of plans to meet your coverage needs:
Local Plus & Open Access Network
Upon enrollment, please allow 7-10 days for ID cards to arrive. Digital proof can be accessed via mycigna.com.
When enrolling in coverage, you will want to make sure that you select the best coverage for you and your family.
Cigna offers (2) networks of covered providers and a variety of plans to meet your coverage needs:
Local Plus & Open Access Network
Upon enrollment, please allow 7-10 days for ID cards to arrive. Digital proof can be accessed via mycigna.com.
Once registered, you will have access to request ID cards to be mailed to you,
print temporary ID cards and/or coverage verification.
This link leads to the machine readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.
MEDICAL PLAN DOCUMENTS
-Local Plus Network-
-Open Access Network-
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HDHP w/HSA
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Silver Medical Plan
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Gold Medical Plan
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Prescription Drug Information
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(Prescription Drug List; all plans)
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This is a list of the most commonly prescribed medications covered on the Cigna Value 3-Tier Prescription Drug List as of July 1, 2021. Medications are listed by the condition they treat, then listed alphabetically within tiers (or cost-share levels).
This drug list is updated often so it isn’t a complete list of the medications your plan covers. Also, your specific plan may not cover all of these medications. Log in to the myCigna App and myCigna.com, or check your plan materials, to see all of the medications your plan covers. Prescription medications used to treat allergies (ex. Allegra, Clarinex, Xyzal and generics) and heartburn/stomach acid conditions (ex. Nexium, Prilosec and generics) aren’t covered on the Cigna Value 3-Tier Prescription Drug List. These medications are considered plan (or benefit) exclusions. You can get over-the-counter (OTC) versions of these medications at the pharmacy without a prescription. |
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(HDHP medical plan only)
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This is a list of Preventive Medications that may be covered under your plan. If your plan covers these Preventive Medications, your insurance benefit is applied before you meet your deductible.
Some medications may have other requirements or limits depending on your benefit plan and are noted below. To find out if a drug is covered, please check your plan benefits on the health plan’s member website. Or, call the toll-free phone number on your health plan ID card. This list may not be all-inclusive. Brand and generic drugs may not always be available due to market changes. |
2026 Dental - DELTA DENTAL
Dental Insurance - Delta Dental
Good dental health is a critical component of your overall wellness. Delta Dental will be our new administrator of the CKE's Dental options in 2026.
You still have the choice between two different plans –
Both have the same deductibles and coverage levels, covering preventive care and restorative services.
The High Plan will continue to provide Orthodontia benefits for both adults and dependent children with a
higher annual maximum for you and every member of your family.
Visit Delta Dental's website to create your profile.
(Please note - your Member ID is your SSN.)
You still have the choice between two different plans –
Both have the same deductibles and coverage levels, covering preventive care and restorative services.
The High Plan will continue to provide Orthodontia benefits for both adults and dependent children with a
higher annual maximum for you and every member of your family.
Visit Delta Dental's website to create your profile.
(Please note - your Member ID is your SSN.)
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Low Plan
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High Plan
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2026 Vision - vsp
Vision Insurance - VSP
VSP administers our vision benefits, allowing you to get the best value,
while being able to see the vision providers that you prefer!
You have the option to see any vision provider you choose, but benefits are highest when you use a network provider. Finding an in-network provider is simple. Just head over to VSP's website for a list of in-network vision care professionals - you don’t have to log in to search!
Just click “Find a Doctor” and enter your location.
Please note, VSP does not issue ID cards. Your optometrist will verify coverage using your SSN.
Frame Allowance: $220
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Cigna, in partnership with HSA Bank, administrates CKE's Health Savings Account. This alignment creates expedited claim resolution and easy access to your HSA funds for medical claims.
When you enroll in the HDHP, you can contribute your own tax-free money to an HSA (via payroll deduction, up to annual IRS limits). *If you contribute at least $500 of your own money to your HSA, CKE will make a matching contribution of $500. Then, shortly after enrollment, you will receive an HSA debit card in the mail. It works like a bank debit card at any vendor that accepts healthcare cards.
Keep in mind, the IRS Contribution Limit includes CKE’s contributions – so if you contribute $500 and CKE contributes $500, the IRS views this as $1,000 toward the limit. Make your elections accordingly! Your HSA funds will also rollover from the previous plan year.
Cigna, in partnership with HSA Bank, administrates CKE's Health Savings Account. This alignment creates expedited claim resolution and easy access to your HSA funds for medical claims.
When you enroll in the HDHP, you can contribute your own tax-free money to an HSA (via payroll deduction, up to annual IRS limits). *If you contribute at least $500 of your own money to your HSA, CKE will make a matching contribution of $500. Then, shortly after enrollment, you will receive an HSA debit card in the mail. It works like a bank debit card at any vendor that accepts healthcare cards.
Keep in mind, the IRS Contribution Limit includes CKE’s contributions – so if you contribute $500 and CKE contributes $500, the IRS views this as $1,000 toward the limit. Make your elections accordingly! Your HSA funds will also rollover from the previous plan year.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
CKE offers two flexible spending accounts (FSAs) – a Healthcare FSA and a Dependent care FSA – also administered by Cigna. Partnering with Cigna will provide expedited claim resolution and easy access to your FSA funds for eligible medical claims.
With FSAs, you set aside tax-free money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, childcare and adult daycare. You pay less for these expenses because the money is not taxed when it is deducted from your paycheck or when you use it to pay for eligible expenses. Refer to the Cigna.com website for a list of eligible expenses. Your FSA funds are a "use or lose" type account so choose your contribution amounts wisely!
With FSAs, you set aside tax-free money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, childcare and adult daycare. You pay less for these expenses because the money is not taxed when it is deducted from your paycheck or when you use it to pay for eligible expenses. Refer to the Cigna.com website for a list of eligible expenses. Your FSA funds are a "use or lose" type account so choose your contribution amounts wisely!
- You can contribute to one or both of the FSAs.
- You do not have to be enrolled in other coverage to participate.
- You cannot contribute to the Healthcare FSA if you are enrolled in a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Life and disability
Life and Disability Insurance
Life and AD&D Insurance provides financial protection in the event you or a covered family member dies or becomes seriously injured in an accident. Coverage is provided through Lincoln Financial.
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Evidence of Insurability (EOI): Evidence of Insurability is an application process through which you provide information on the condition of your or your dependent's health in order to be considered for certain types of insurance coverage over a specific dollar amount. For CKE, EOI is required for most changes or increases in voluntary life insurance and/or long-term disability insurance elections.
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Short-term Disability: If you are a regular full-time employee, short-term disability is provided by CKE at no cost to you. Short-term Disability Insurance provides you with 60% of your weekly income up to $1,500 if you can’t work temporarily due to a covered illness, injury or a pregnancy-related condition. Benefits for employees in CA will coordinate with CA SDI benefits. Not available in NY, NJ, HI, RI.
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Long-term Disability: Long-term disability coverage generally picks up where short-term disability coverage leaves off to protect you financially if your disability continues for an extended period. If you are unable to work for an extended period of time due to a covered disability, this benefit will replace 40% of your monthly income up to $10,000 beginning at 6 months off of work. You may purchase an additional 20% as a voluntary add-on to make your benefit a total of 60%.
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Voluntary Accident, critical Illness & hospital indemnity
Voluntary Work/Life Benefits
Lincoln Financial gives you the choice of three additional benefit plans: Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity.
Your participation in these plans is totally voluntary. If you choose to enroll, you can pay your premiums via payroll deduction.
Accident Insurance: With accident insurance from Lincoln, you can help protect your budget against unforeseen expenses if you suffer an off-the-job injury. You can also cover your dependents! You can use the cash benefits from this coverage to help meet copays and other expenses, or any other way you see fit. The accident plan pays benefits for a variety of covered events – see the summary for more details.
Critical Illness: With critical illness insurance, you receive cash benefits when diagnosed with a covered critical illness. You can use this as you wish, to help cover medical or personal expenses. You can choose benefit amounts of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 for yourself and additional benefits for your dependents. The payable benefit varies by diagnosis – see the summary for more details.
Hospital Indemnity: A supplemental health product that may provide benefits if you or your covered dependent visit a hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) due to a covered illness or injury. It provides cash benefits to pay health insurance deductibles, transportation, childcare, and anything else you and your family need while you receive treatment and recover.
employee assistance program (EAP)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Life comes with many demands — from family issues to legal and financial concerns to coping with stress. Occasionally these matters can affect your work, health and family. When that happens, count on EmployeeConnect services to provide you with the support, resources and information you need to rise to the challenge.
On January 1, 2025, ComPsych will be updating the website used to access EAP services. In addition to updating the look of the site, ComPsych will be adding a new feature that allows users to complete an assessment that will be used to guide them to relevant articles and information. As part of this change, each user will now be required to create a unique username and password. EmployeeConnect users will still be required to use the LFGSupport credentials, and after entering those credentials, they will bedirected to create a separate unique user ID and password. |
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Retirement (401k)
CKE Savings Plan
The CKE 401k Savings Plan is administered by Principal Financial Group. Principal has been a leader in providing retirement solutions for over 75 years. We’re excited to share the new features, tools, and resources you can use to help save for, and live in, retirement.
Start exploring
If you haven't already registered, now is a great time to register! Visit the Principal website (principal.com/welcome) and select Get Started. From there, you can take a closer look at some of the robust features available to you, including:
Start exploring
If you haven't already registered, now is a great time to register! Visit the Principal website (principal.com/welcome) and select Get Started. From there, you can take a closer look at some of the robust features available to you, including:
- Customized dashboard for your retirement account
- Retirement Wellness Score – personalized score to see how you’re tracking towards your retirement goals
- Principal® Milestones – a financial wellness resource that provides self-serve, personalized, online education
- Principal® app – streamlined for convenience, it puts you in control with retirement wellness checks, in-the-moment education and self-serve transaction capabilities
- Principal® Flash Briefing – voice assistant delivering tips, fun facts, and reminders weekly
Regular Deferral Contributions. Save for retirement by setting aside a portion of your pre-tax income directly into your 401(k) plan. These contributions reduce your taxable income for the year, meaning you pay less in taxes now while your savings grow tax-deferred until you withdraw them in retirement. This strategy not only helps build your retirement nest egg but also leverages the power of compound interest over time.
Roth 401k Option. A unique opportunity to save for retirement with tax advantages. Unlike traditional 401(k) contributions, which are made pre-tax, Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. This means that while you pay taxes on the money you contribute now, your withdrawals in retirement—both contributions and earnings—are tax-free, provided certain conditions are met. Additionally, Roth 401(k) accounts have higher contribution limits than Roth IRAs, making them an attractive option for those looking to maximize their retirement savings. Consider incorporating Roth contributions into your retirement strategy to take advantage of tax-free growth and withdrawals. Want more info? Click HERE for a quick tutorial. (Passcode: dv9fxFT+)
Maintain your current lifestyle in retirement. For each year of retirement, many experts suggest you’ll need at least 80% of your annual preretirement income to maintain your standard of living. And thanks to medical advancements, many people are living longer, which could mean a longer retirement and a need to save a larger amount of money.
Reduce your current tax bill and possibly boost your refund. Every pretax dollar you contribute to the plan reduces your current taxable income, which means you could lower your overall income taxes. You may also be eligible for the Saver’s Credit, an income tax credit available to some people who contribute to an employer’s retirement plan or IRA.1
Pick from a variety of investment options. The plan offers a wide variety of investment options so you can personalize your investment portfolio to meet your specific preferences and goals.
Employer Matching Contributions. CKE will contribute $0.50 for every $1.00 that you contribute, up to 6% of your pay. Try to save at least 6% to ensure you aren’t missing out on receiving the maximum matching contribution.
Highly Compensated Employees. Highly Compensated Employees (HCEs) are limited to saving 5% of total eligible compensation. CKE identifies an HCE as an employee receiving $160,000.00 or more in eligible compensation during 2025. If you have questions about your classification as an HCE, please contact the CKE Benefits team.
Roth 401k Option. A unique opportunity to save for retirement with tax advantages. Unlike traditional 401(k) contributions, which are made pre-tax, Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. This means that while you pay taxes on the money you contribute now, your withdrawals in retirement—both contributions and earnings—are tax-free, provided certain conditions are met. Additionally, Roth 401(k) accounts have higher contribution limits than Roth IRAs, making them an attractive option for those looking to maximize their retirement savings. Consider incorporating Roth contributions into your retirement strategy to take advantage of tax-free growth and withdrawals. Want more info? Click HERE for a quick tutorial. (Passcode: dv9fxFT+)
Maintain your current lifestyle in retirement. For each year of retirement, many experts suggest you’ll need at least 80% of your annual preretirement income to maintain your standard of living. And thanks to medical advancements, many people are living longer, which could mean a longer retirement and a need to save a larger amount of money.
Reduce your current tax bill and possibly boost your refund. Every pretax dollar you contribute to the plan reduces your current taxable income, which means you could lower your overall income taxes. You may also be eligible for the Saver’s Credit, an income tax credit available to some people who contribute to an employer’s retirement plan or IRA.1
Pick from a variety of investment options. The plan offers a wide variety of investment options so you can personalize your investment portfolio to meet your specific preferences and goals.
Employer Matching Contributions. CKE will contribute $0.50 for every $1.00 that you contribute, up to 6% of your pay. Try to save at least 6% to ensure you aren’t missing out on receiving the maximum matching contribution.
Highly Compensated Employees. Highly Compensated Employees (HCEs) are limited to saving 5% of total eligible compensation. CKE identifies an HCE as an employee receiving $160,000.00 or more in eligible compensation during 2025. If you have questions about your classification as an HCE, please contact the CKE Benefits team.
LONG-TERM CARE
Long-Term Care
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. is excited to announce a new benefit:
Allstate Group Whole Life with Accelerated Death Benefit for Long Term Care
This benefit is designed to help you and your family plan for the high cost of Long-Term Care by combining the benefits of Life Insurance with Long-Term Care which can be used during your living years. Most Americans will need Long-Term Care at some point in their lives. With the rising costs of healthcare, especially Long-Term Care (LTC), preparing for the future has never been more important. The new Allstate Life with Long-Term Care is designed to support you and your family, for the rest of your life.
Allstate Group Whole Life with Accelerated Death Benefit for Long Term Care
This benefit is designed to help you and your family plan for the high cost of Long-Term Care by combining the benefits of Life Insurance with Long-Term Care which can be used during your living years. Most Americans will need Long-Term Care at some point in their lives. With the rising costs of healthcare, especially Long-Term Care (LTC), preparing for the future has never been more important. The new Allstate Life with Long-Term Care is designed to support you and your family, for the rest of your life.
2026 Enrollment Resources
2026 Benefits eguide
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM
PET INSURANCE
LEAVE of Absence (LOA)
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All Leave of Absence, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability and Family & Medical Leave (FMLA) services will be administered by Lincoln Financial Group.
Lincoln Financial Group offers employees direct access to claims, resources and information. You can easily report a claim and check the status of your claim through Lincoln Financial Group's dedicated secure website of by telephone. Please visit: www.lincolnfinancial.com to access employee resources and online tools. First time users must register using Company Code CKERHINC. Call 1-888-408-7300 and speak with an Intake Specialist to report your claim. Once you have already filed your claim, you can check the status of your claim by calling your Case Manager at 1-800-291-0112 or Leave Specialist at 1-866-630-9320. |
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Paid parental leave
CKE'S Parental Policy provides Eligible Employees up to 4 weeks (160 hours) of paid parental leave for time away from work to fulfill a short-term disability waiting period or to bond with a child, as a result of birth (including surrogacy) and/or adoption.
Who is Eligible?
Who is Eligible?
- Regular full-time employees (AGM/RGM and Corporate Level) who have incurred a Qualifying Family Event while actively employed by CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
- Both birth and non-birth parents
- For exclusions and more policy details, please refer to the CKE Paid Parental Leave website.
COBRA
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The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102 percent of the cost to the plan.
COBRA generally requires that group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end. |
Making changes
Making Changes - Qualified Life Events
If you experience one of the events below, you will have 30 days from the date of your event or change in coverage.
- Marriage
- Birth/Adoption
- Death of a Covered Dependent
- Divorce
- Gain/Loss of Coverage for an Eligible Dependent (Spouse or Dependent Child)
To make the appropriate changes to your benefits, click on the button below for further instructions.
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Please note that all life events will require formal documentation be submitted to the benefits department.
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PROVIDER CONTACTS
Enroll Now!
Enroll NOW!
Enrollment Instructions
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To get started, log into your MyStar profile:
RGM/AGM - Click Here! Corporate Employees - Click Here! Once logged in, select "Manage My Benefits" to access the enrollment portal. *** Important *** MyStar is only used for enrollment and to review your enrollment summary. To view your coverage, digital ID cards, etc., please visit our respective carrier sites listed under the 'Provider Contacts' tab above. Please be sure to complete the entire enrollment. Your enrollment is now like an online shopping experience, where you add various coverages to your shopping cart and are displayed with a total cost per paycheck. Once you have made your elections, please be sure to check out and obtain a copy of your enrollment confirmation statement. If you do not complete the entire enrollment process and check out, your benefit enrollments will not be saved and you will not have coverage in 2026. |
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Don't Forget...
If you do not enroll, you will NOT have benefits in 2026.
Generally, there are two times you can enroll for benefits: 1) when you first become eligible and 2) during Open Enrollment. Once you enroll, your choices remain in effect for the entire calendar year. Please make sure that you take the time to determine the correct benefits for you and your family for 2026.
Adding dependents?
If you are adding new dependents to your plan, please have their dates of birth and Social Security Number available.
Adding dependents?
If you are adding new dependents to your plan, please have their dates of birth and Social Security Number available.
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