2027 Open Enrollment
November 2 – 13, 2026
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review and make changes to your AHEAD benefits for the upcoming year. Open Enrollment will take place in UKG from November 2 – 13, 2026. In your UKG Open Enrollment session you will have the option to “Make New Elections” or “Stay Enrolled in Current Benefit Plans.”
*By law you are required to actively enroll in FSA plans each year. If you would like to contribute to an FSA in 2027 you must select “Make New Elections” in UKG and submit an active enrollment. 2026 FSA elections will not roll over into 2027.
Outside of Open Enrollment, changes to benefits can only be made if you experience a Qualifying Life Event, such as marriage, birth, adoption, etc.
2027 Benefits Guide
For details on your benefits options, as well as per paycheck contributions, review our 2027 Benefits Guide.
2027 Plan Cost Calculator
Download the 2027 Plan Cost Calculator and follow the instructions at the top of the spreadsheet to estimate your healthcare costs for 2027.
What's Changing for 2027?
Medical - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)
Participants must receive care from providers within the HMO network and select a primary medical group to coordinate their care and provide referrals to specialists when needed.
Important: Northwestern Medicine is out of network under the HMO IL plan. If you currently receive care through Northwestern Medicine, carefully consider this when choosing your 2027 medical plan.
You will also see lower deductibles for the PPO plan in 2027, reflecting AHEAD’s continued commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality medical coverage.
Vision - VSP
Employees will have the option to elect a new VSP buy-up plan. This plan will provide enhanced coverage, including more frequent frame allowances, lower copays, and higher allowances for frames and lenses.
Employees can compare both options during Open Enrollment and select the coverage that best fits their needs.
Dental
Dental coverage is transitioning from Delta Dental to Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental. The plan design and employee contribution rates will remain the same. Employees should review the Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental provider network to confirm whether their current dental providers participate.
Wellness Reimbursement
AHEAD is introducing an employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account to help support employees’ well-being. Eligible employees will receive a $50 monthly stipend that can be used for qualifying wellness-related purchases.
Monthly amounts are use-it-or-lose-it and will not carry over to the future month. Benefit-eligible employees will be enrolled automatically. No action is required in your UKG Open Enrollment session.
401(k) Employer Match
AHEAD is adding an additional true-up match of up to 3% of eligible earnings on top of the current $1/$1 match. The $1/$1 per-payroll match will continue with the $5,000 annual maximum currently in place.
Starting in 2027, a post plan year true-up match will be calculated and remitted to Empower to match any employee contributions above the $5,000 match, up to 3% of eligible earnings. Employees must be active on 12/31 to receive this true-up match.
Ready to Enroll?
Starting November 2, 2026, you can enroll in your 2027 AHEAD benefits. To begin, select the UKG Pro widget on your Okta Dashboard. Then, under Myself, select Open Enrollment to reach your available session.
Have questions?
Email benefits@ahead.com