What's New & Changing
Actions to take:
You must make an election if you wish to enroll or re-enroll in:
- Health Savings Account (HSA): You are required to update your contribution amount if you choose to keep your HSA in 2027. As a reminder, to be eligible for the TE annual contribution and wellness incentive, you must actively elect an HSA and select a contribution amount, even if that amount is $0.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): You are required to re-enroll in any FSA (Health Care, Limited Purpose, or Dependent Care) every year.
- Tobacco/Vape user status: Your Tobacco/Vape user status from 2026 will rollover to 2027. However, if you or your spouse’s user status has changed, you will need to make that change during Annual Enrollment.
Reminders for employees enrolled in ChoicePlus or HealthFund plans:
- Earn your $500 Wellness Incentive for 2027 by completing an annual preventative exam with your primary care physician before the end of 2026. The incentive will be deposited into your HSA or HRA in April 2027.
- There is a $600 annual surcharge for tobacco and vape users.
If you do not wish to make any changes to your current benefit plan coverage and you don’t have any new dependents to add to your coverage, no action is required, except for what is noted above.
Have you signed up for text messages? Make the most of Annual Enrollment this year by getting timely benefits updates straight to your phone. To opt-in to text message notifications, log in to www.TEBenefits-US.com, click your name in the top-right corner, then go to Profile. Click Edit next to Contact Preferences, enter your mobile number, check the box to Accept SMS Terms & Conditions, and hit Save.
Premiums
Highmark Plans (HealthFund and ChoicePlus)
Across the country, healthcare expenses continue to rise at a rate that outpaces general inflation. Several factors are driving these increases, including higher costs for hospital services, prescription drugs (especially specialty medications), advances in medical technology, and increased utilization of care. Like many employers, we are experiencing these rising costs in our health plans.
For 2027, TE will continue to absorb most of the cost of benefits, which we have done for the past number of years. We will be passing along a 3% increase in employee medical premiums. We understand that any increase in costs can be challenging, and we remain committed to offering high-quality benefits that support your health and well-being.
- Use in-network providers to avoid higher out-of-pocket expenses.
- Take advantage of preventive care, which is often covered at 100%.
- Consider virtual care options for convenience and cost savings.
Kaiser HMO Plans
Kaiser plans will not see an increase in premiums in 2027. At a time when healthcare costs continue to rise, and in recent years when the Kaiser plans have experienced double-digit increases, we’re glad to be able to keep the premiums flat for next year to offer stability for you and your family.
Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution Limit Increase
You will be able to contribute more to your HSA in 2027. As a reminder, to be eligible for the TE annual contribution and wellness incentive, you must actively elect an HSA and select a contribution amount, even if that amount is $0.
- Employee only contribution maximum: $4,500
- Employee plus Dependent(s) contribution maximum: $9,000
Reminders:
- If you are newly enrolling dependents in a Highmark medical plan and don’t successfully complete the dependent verification process, then the TE annual contribution will be reduced from the family amount to the individual amount.
- Future Retirees: Upon enrolling in Medicare, you are no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA. Since Medicare Part A can provide retroactive coverage for up to six months before your application date, you should consult your financial advisor to determine when to stop HSA contributions to avoid tax penalties
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Contribution Limit Increase
You can contribute more to your FSA in 2027. You must actively elect a contribution amount during Annual Enrollment. Contribution limits for 2027:
- Health Care FSA maximum contribution: $3,400
- Dependent Care FSA maximum contribution: $7,500 (same as 2026)
GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications
Starting January 1, 2027, new coverage requirements will apply to GLP-1 weight loss medications filled through Express Scripts. To be eligible for coverage, you must enroll in and actively participate in Omada, a virtual health program. If you currently have a GLP-1 prescription, watch for a mailer from Express Scripts in December with next steps. Enroll at omadahealth.com/esi. For more information about Omada visit the Health Benefits tab and scroll down to the Weight Management Resources tile and click on Learn More.
Programs to Improve Your Well-being
Whether your goal is more energy, better overall health, or weight loss, TE provides the tools and support to help you succeed.
- Weight Watchers: Starting January 1, 2027, tools, coaching, and support to reach your wellness goals will be available at no cost to employees and spouses (or domestic partners).
Employees enrolled in a TE Highmark medical plan have access to these additional resources:
- Noom: Free membership through Highmark offers personalized tools and support for sustainable weight loss.
- Omada: Free personalized program through Express Scripts that provides you with the tools and support to reach your health goals, whether it's losing weight or lowering blood pressure.
- Sword: Personalized at-home virtual physical therapy programs to help prevent and reduce pain.
- OSHI: Virtual digestive health care, including access to GI specialists and dieticians.
- Progyny: Resources around fertility, pregnancy and postpartum, doula, and menopause and midlife.
- Health Assessment Tool: Answer a series of questions about your health, exercise, and nutrition habits to receive recommendations for wellness programs and resources available to you at www.myhighmark.com.
New! MetLife Group Legal Now Includes Caregiving Benefit
Starting January 1, 2027, the group legal plan will include a caregiving benefit which includes unlimited access to a confidential, multi-disciplinary team of highly trained experts who will examine your unique caregiving situation and create a holistic care plan for your loved one. MetLife Legal Plans has partnered with Family First to provide customized caregiving solutions. Examples of caregiving situations that the benefit supports include eldercare, dementia, aging in place, homecare, placement, and Medicare navigation. Annual enrollment is your only opportunity to add or drop enrollment in the group legal plan.
New! Absence Blueprint - Leave Planning Tool
Absence Blueprint is a new leave planning tool provided by TE’s leave vendor Reliance Matrix that will help you to plan a leave (i.e., for your own health condition, to care for a family member, etc.). After answering a few questions, the tool will provide a graph detailing all applicable leaves illustrating how much time you can take away from work, how much time is job-protected, and how your pay will be supplemented (i.e., statutory pay, disability pay, vacation). Starting October 1, 2026, to access the new tool, go to https://www.matrixabsence.com and either create a new account or login if you already have an account and then click “Plan Your Leave.” The planner provides an estimate for planning purposes only and the results do not represent approval of your possible leave or benefits.
Bank of America Employee Banking & Investment Program
Starting January 1, 2027, TE employees will have access to the Bank of America Employee Banking & Investment program. This benefit gives you powerful tools to manage your money today and plan for tomorrow—all in one place. Enjoy enhanced banking perks and rewards, access investment tools and personalized advice, and get financial education, planning tools, and support for every life stage. Visit https://promo.bankofamerica.com/ebi/ and type TE Connectivity to learn more.
