Open Enrollment for 2027 Benefits is Oct. 13 - Nov. 6, 2026
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make/change your plan elections, add/drop dependents for the upcoming year, and change your monthly sick leave usage (for some groups). You will be able to make changes October 13th through November 6th, with a January 1, 2027 effective date.
2027 Retiree Benefits Guide & Rates
- 2027 Rates for Retired Employees
- 2027 Benefits Guide for Retired Employees
- 2027 Retiree Sick Leave Conversion Chart
Open Enrollment Resources for Retirees
Visit benefits.smc-hr.org/retirees/ for webinars schedule and see resources from our Benefit Providers .
What's New for 2027?
Aetna HDHP & Kaiser HDHP Plans
Changes to Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits for High Deductible Health Plans.
If you are enrolled in either Aetna OAMC PPO HDHP or Kaiser HDHP plans, the individual minimum deductible will increase from $1,700 to $1,750 for 2027. For Family, or individual with a family, it will increase from $3,400 yo $3,500.
Please refer to our 2027 Benefits Guide for Retired Employees for complete details.
HOW TO PROCESS YOUR OPEN ENROLLMENT
STARTING OCTOBER 13, 2026
The Open Enrollment Form will be available online at smcgov.org/hr/OE-1
Please email or fax ONLY if making changes.
- Email: benefits@smcgov.org
- Fax: (650) 670-3080
(SENDING VIA USPS MAIL MAY CREATE DELAYS)
- All open enrollment changes must be submitted to our office no later than Friday, November 6, 2026.
- If changing plans or adding a new Medicare dependent: Medicare recipients must complete all information requested and submit the OE form with a Copy of Medicare Card(s)
- All changes effective JANUARY 1, 2027.
You will receive a postcard or email confirming receipt of your enrollment change form
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Open Enrollment Lunch and Learn Webinar Series
Benefits & Wellness partners will be hosting 30-minute Information and Q&A sessions throughout the Open Enrollment period. Retirees can get answers to benefits & wellness questions directly from the carriers and participate in our wellness sessions.
| Date | Time | Topic |
| Tues, Oct 13, 2026 | 12:30pm –1:00pm | Kaiser Senior Advantage Medicare Plan |
| Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Forest Therapy: An Intro to the Practice, the Science, and the Health Benefits (Virtual Fair) |
| Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Aetna Commercial Plans for Early Retirees (under < 65yo) (Virtual Fair) |
| Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | 1:30pm - 2:00pm | Overview: United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan (Virtual Fair) |
| Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | 1:30pm - 2:00pm | Seated Workouts in the Wild (Virtual Fair) |
| Fri, Octo 16, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:00pm | VSP Vision Plans for Retirees |
| Mon, Oct 19, 2026 | 12:00pm –12:30pm | Cigna Dental Plans for Retirees |
| Tues, Oct 20, 2026 | 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Kaiser Insurance Plans for Early Retirees (Under < 65yo) |
| Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | 11:00am - 11:30am | Band Together: Exercise Band Workouts for Strength, Flexibility, and Mobility (In-Person Fair) |
| Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Forest Therapy: An Intro to the Practice, the Science, and the Health Benefits (In-Person Fair) |
| Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | 1:00pm - 1:30pm | United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan for Retirees (In-Person Fair) |
| Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | 1:30pm - 2:00pm | Posture Workshop for Injury Prevention (In-Person Fair) |
| Thurs, Oct 22, 2026 | 12:30pm – 1:00pm | Aetna Commercial Plans for Early Retirees (Under < 65yo) |
| Fri, Oct 23, 2026 | 10:00am - 11:00am | Overview: United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan |
| Fri, Oct 23, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Gut Health 101: A Healthy Tummy Makes a Happy Brain |
| Tues, Oct 27, 2026 | 12:00pm - 12:30pm | What is Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes |
| Wed, Oct 28, 2026 | 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Cholesterol: The Good, the Bad, and the Strategies |
| Tues, Nov 3, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Resilience in Times of Change |
| Wed, November 4, 2026 | 12:00pm -12:30pm | Myofascial Release: Self-Massage Therapy for Relief, Recovery & Relaxation |
The schedule along with more information about these sessions will be available at:
Online 2027 Rates and Benefits Guides
For additional information including the 2027 Benefits Guides and Rates, please visit the Benefits Website at: hr.smcgov.org/oe-retiree
Contact Benefits Staff
Email us at benefits@smcgov.orgor call 650-363-1919 Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
*** Please allow up 2 business days for an email response