San Jose Office of Retirement Service Open Enrollment

2026 Open Enrollment (OE) is coming! During the month of November, all retirees eligible for health care insurance may make changes to their insurance enrollment and re-enroll in in-lieu. Remember that you must re-enroll in health-in-lieu and dental-in-lieu annually as those elections do not automatically roll over. For members with dependents under age 24, Open Enrollment is the time you can add your dependent children to your medical, dental and/or vision coverage (some coverage is available until age 26). If you are not looking to make any changes and wish to keep your insurance carriers for 2026, you do not need to submit any forms to Retirement Services.

Open Enrollment 2026 Key Dates:

October 09, 2025 – ORS staff presentation to Association of Retired San Jose Police Officers and Firefighters at their monthly membership meeting. Click here for more info. 
October 09, 2025 – ORS staff presentation to San Jose Retired Employees Association (SJREA) at their monthly membership meeting. Click here for more info.
October 27, 2025 - Open Enrollment packets begin arriving by U.S. Mail to the mailing address on file with ORS.
November 1, 2025 – Open Enrollment begins. First day change forms will be accepted.  
November 1, 2025 – Open Enrollment Website (this site) goes live with 2026 information
November 5, 2025 – Retiree  in-person Health Fair between 10 am to 2 pm at Leininger Center, Okayama Room. DermaScan and Biometric screenings available!
November 30, 2025 – Open Enrollment ends. Last day change forms will be accepted.

What’s New in 2026: 

New Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO 75 Plan
We’re excited to introduce a new plan that is very similar to our current Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO plan. The main difference is that this new plan includes a $75 copay for visits to the emergency room. Other than that, all the benefits and coverage remain the same.

What’s Changing in 2026:

All Vision plans will move to VSP Choice
Starting January 1, 2026, the VSP Signature plan will be discontinued. If you’re currently enrolled in VSP Signature, you will automatically transition to the VSP Choice plan. For more information about the VSP Choice Plan, please review the VSP Vision Plan Design.
2026 Medical Plan Rates
Medical plans are seeing incremental changes for 2026. Non-Medicare rates are increasing between 0.29% - 14.5%. Your plan’s actual cost is directly related to the lowest cost plan offered for your level of coverage (member, member + spouse, etc.) Please see the 2026 Rate Sheets located below.