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Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs
Open Enrollment is your time to enroll or make changes to your benefits for the following year. The 2026 Open Enrollment season was from September 14 – October 9, 2026. Changes made during 2026 Open Enrollment season take effect on January 1, 2027.
CalHR collaborates with state departments and hosts In-Person and Virtual Benefits Fairs to help state civil service employees make informed choices about their benefits during Open Enrollment.
State employees have the opportunity to speak directly with benefit program vendors and health carriers at Open Enrollment events. State employees can also access vendor and health carrier resources year-round, including on-demand webinars that can be viewed below.
Note: You must be a current state employee or a contracted vendor with a state department to participate in our Benefits Fairs. Outside vendors and non-employees will be removed immediately from the event. If you are a state department and would like to host/cohost a Benefits Fair for a future Open Enrollment season, you may reach out to the CalHR Open Enrollment team by emailing us at OpenEnrollment@calhr.ca.gov.
Requests submitted from vendors who are not currently contracted with a State of California Department will not be accepted at this time.
In-Person Benefits Fair
On Wednesday Sept. 2, 2026, CalHR hosted a In-Person Benefits Fair for state civil service employees for the 2026 Open Enrollment season.
Why you should attend future fairs
- Learn more about Open Enrollment
- Get updates on the upcoming years benefits and enhancements
- Communicate directly with carriers
Open Enrollment Virtual Benefits Fair
The Virtual Benefits Fair was held on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and has concluded.
Why you should attend a future Virtual Benefits Fair:
- Attend live presentations
- Watch on-demand webinars
- Ask questions in live Q&As
- Explore resources to help make informed decisions during Open Enrollment
2026 Benefits for a Life Well Lived Presentation
Overview of benefits for state employees
Click here to access the PDF version of the presentation
2026 Member Health Open Enrollment Webinar (Active & Retired CalPERS Members)
Virtual Benefits Fair Archive
2025 Benefits for a Life Well Lived Presentation - Archive
Overview of benefits for state employees
Click here to access the PDF version of the presentation
Virtual Resources
State employees can view pre-recorded videos and access resources to help make informed choices during Open Enrollment by accessing the Virtual Resources below.
For additional benefit information, including pre-recorded webinars and videos, please view the benefit program carrier and health carrier section below.
Health
ANTHEM BLUE CROSS
At Anthem Blue Cross we understand our health connects us to each other. What we all do impacts those around us. Anthem is dedicated to delivering better care to our members, providing greater value to our customers, and helping improve the health of our communities. Please visit the Anthem website to learn more.
Pre-recorded videos:
BLUE SHIELD
Blue Shield of California is a nonprofit health insurance organization offering health plans to CalPERS employees since 2003. Blue Shield of California currently offers three state-wide health plans for active employees, and one plan for CalPERS retirees. The three active health plans include the broad network Access+ HMO, the select network Trio HMO plan, and Blue Shield EPO. The comprehensive retiree plan is Blue Shield Medicare PPO. Please visit the Blue Shield website to learn more.
Pre-recorded videos:
HMO and EPO presentation
Medicare PPO presentation
Supplement to Medicare presentation
BLUE SHIELD CCPOA
California Correctional Peace Officers Association are the men and women officers/guards working all the prisons across the state of CA. Please visit the CCPOA Medical plan website to learn more.
HEALTH NET
For over 40 years, Health Net has supported Californians through various stages of life, and that’s what we continue to do. We work to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve. Please visit the Health Net website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
Health Net presentation
Video password: icpa@K2i
INCLUDED HEALTH
CalPERS Basic PPO members have access to Included Health. Included Health can help with answering questions about your health benefits to finding a primary care doctor, Included Health works seamlessly with Blue Shield of California to find care personalized to your needs. Please visit the Included Health website to learn more.
Pre-recorded videos:
KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente is proud to be a trusted healthcare partner and to have cared for CalPERS members for almost 70 years. We’re more than a health plan: nationwide, over 12 million people turn to us for informed, coordinated care. Kaiser Permanente exists to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. Please visit the Kaiser Permanente website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
OptumRX
SHARP
Sharp Health Plan is proud to provide CalPERS members with access to the award-winning care from our nationally recognized physicians and hospitals. We are the only locally based not-for-profit commercial health plan in San Diego, and we’re honored to serve you. Sharp Health Plan is CalPERS’ highest member-rated Commercial health plan – find out why better health insurance matters. Please visit the SHARP website to learn more.
Pre-recorded videos:
SHARP Performance Plus Basic Plan
SHARP Direct Advantage Medicare Plan
WESTERN HEALTH ADVANTAGE
Western Health Advantage (WHA) is a leading health plan in Northern California, providing comprehensive health benefits. WHA is a nonprofit HMO headquartered in Sacramento with a service area that includes 10 Northern California counties: Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Colusa, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Humboldt.
Founded over 25 years ago by Dignity Health and NorthBay Health, CalPERS members have access to multiple medical groups, with exceptional physicians (and hospitals) from Hill Physicians Medical Group, Dignity Health’s Mercy Medical Group and Woodland Clinic, Meritage Medical Network, NorthBay Health, and Providence Medical Network. Please visit the Western Health Advantage website for more information.
Pre-recorded video:
Western Health Advantage presentation
Dental
DELTA DENTAL
Since 1955, Delta Dental of California has offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. Delta Dental provides State of California employees access to fee for service plans with three PPO plans and also the option of a Dental HMO through our DeltaCareUSA plan. Please visit the Delta Dental website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
METLIFE
MetLife is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to our individual and institutional customers. We are committed to building a more confident future for all of our stakeholders—our colleagues, our communities, our customers and our shareholders. Please visit the Metlife Dental or Metlife Life websites for more information.
Pre-recorded videos:
Vision
VSP
As a health focused company your well-being is at the core of everything we do. VSP® Vision Care gives you access to quality eye care from VSP network doctors with low out-of-pocket costs. Get the most out of your vision plan with up to 98,000 provider access points including independent doctors, popular retailers, and online. Please visit the VSP website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
Life Insurance
METLIFE
MetLife is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to our individual and institutional customers. We are committed to building a more confident future for all of our stakeholders—our colleagues, our communities, our customers and our shareholders. Please visit the Metlife Dental or Metlife Life websites for more information.
Pre-recorded videos:
Legal Insurance
ARAG
Legal is everywhere – from the everyday to the once in a lifetime. With ARAG®, employees can save time, stress, and money on legal issues with network attorney fees that are 100 percent paid in full for most covered matters. Voluntary benefits have been shown to improve employee retention and make companies more competitive, so why not offer your employees the most comprehensive legal insurance on the market? Plus, we make your job easier by offering straightforward implementation, administration, and enrollment along with ongoing employee communication and education. Please visit the ARAG website to learn more. Access code: 10202soc
Pre-recorded video:
ARAG Legal Insurance presentation
Group Long-Term Disability Insurance
STANDARD
The Standard Insurance Company helps people achieve financial well-being and peace of mind by providing insurance, retirement and investment products and services. Long Term Disability is a voluntary insurance plan that is available to eligible excluded state employees only. This benefit replaces a portion of your income in the event you cannot work for six months or more due to a covered illness or injury. By protecting your income and helping you to meet your financial commitments in a time of need, this benefit can be key to maintaining your standard of living. Please visit The Standard website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
Pet Insurance
METLIFE
MetLife Pet Insurance is a voluntary benefit that offers customizable plans to help protect your furry friends from unexpected veterinary expenses, including coverage for accidents, illnesses and routine care, allowing you to choose the plan that best fits your pet’s needs. You can enroll or modify your pet insurance coverage at any time, not just during Open Enrollment. Please visit the MetLife Pet Insurance microsite for more information.
Reimbursement Account
ASI Flex
ASIFlex administers benefits such as FSA, HSA, COBRA, HRA, Lifestyle Spending Accounts, and Commuter benefit. Please visit the ASI Flex website to learn more.
Pre-recorded videos:
Voluntary Savings Programs
SAVINGS PLUS
Savings Plus is a voluntary retirement program allowing you to supplement your retirement benefits through tax-deferred and Roth payroll contributions. We offer a 401(k) Plan and a 457(b) Plan. Please visit the Savings Plus website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
SCHOLARSHARE 529
No matter your child’s age, the best time to open a ScholarShare 529 is today. Because the sooner you start, the more you can take advantage of compound earnings and powerful tax benefits. Please visit the ScholarShare 529 website to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
SPRING HEALTH
As a State of California employee, you and your eligible dependents have access to Whole You, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), powered by Spring Health. The State of California offers this program as part of its commitment to promoting employee health and wellbeing. It is offered at no charge to the employee and provides a valuable resource for support and information during difficult times, as well as consultation on day-to-day concerns. The EAP is an assessment, short-term counseling, and referral service designed to assist you and your eligible dependents with managing everyday concerns.
To get started, visit www.eap.calhr.ca.gov or call 1-866-327-4762.
Wellness
GROKKER
Grokker provides an easy, engaging way to support your wellness goals. The platform offers:
- A growing library of 4,000+ expert-led, on-demand video classes covering fitness, mindfulness, nutrition, financial wellbeing and sleep
- More than 150 comprehensive wellness programs
- A community of over 130 expert trainers
- Simple tools to help you build healthy habits and track your progress
Through Live Well, you and your family can explore all of these resources on the Grokker website and app, with no registration code required. Eligibility is verified automatically when you sign up.
Ready to get started? Visit https://wellness.calhr.ca.govopens in a new window and click Validate Eligibility to create your Grokker account and begin exploring Live Well resources right away.
Employee Engagement
STATEWIDE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
The program is designed to provide a holistic approach in connecting state departments, with the capacity and community needed to support the overall wellbeing of California’s state workforce. Threading the needle of employee engagement through employee assistance, merit and recognition, and wellness. Please visit Work Resources to learn more.
Pre-recorded video:
If you are seeking benefit plan highlights and other benefits materials, please view our Virtual Library.
For additional information about Open Enrollment, please visit the Open Enrollment webpage.
Note: The 2026 Open Enrollment period is from Sept. 14 – Oct. 9, 2026. Changes made during the 2026 Open Enrollment period will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
