My Benefits is ETF's secure online platform to access and manage most of your benefits. 

As a Universities of Wisconsin (UWs) employee you will use My Benefits to enroll in insurance benefits within 30 days of your hire date (or eligibility date), during open enrollment, or following a qualifying life event. You can access My Benefits from UW’s Workday application in the Benefits & Pay Hub.

How to Enroll and Make Changes

Go to My Benefits to securely enroll in, change, or review your insurance benefits. Mid-year changes are only permitted if you experience a qualifying life event.

Need help? Visit the My Benefits Help page for helpful resources, including a video tutorial and step-by-step guide.

Reach out to your benefits contact if you need additional assistance with My Benefits.

Benefits Requiring Annual Enrollment

Most of your benefit elections will automatically continue each year unless you make changes during open enrollment. However, some benefits require annual action during open enrollment:

Documentation Requirements

Whenever you enroll in insurance coverage and include a spouse or dependent—whether during initial enrollment, open enrollment, or due to a life event—you must provide documentation verifying their eligibility. This requirement applies regardless of the timing or type of enrollment. 

In addition, some life events (such as loss of other coverage) may require extra documentation to confirm the event occurred. 

For more information, see Document Requirements for Life Events and Dependent Verification.

Deadlines and Coverage Effective Dates

Your enrollment period determines when you must submit your enrollment or benefit changes, and when your coverage will take effect.

Enrollment PeriodSubmission DeadlineCoverage Effective Date
Open EnrollmentBy end of enrollment periodCoverage changes are effective January 1 of the next year.
New Hire EnrollmentWithin 30 days of your eligibility date

You can choose your Health and Uniform Dental coverage to begin on either:

  • The first of the month on or after your hire date for Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited employees.
  • University staff choose either:
    • The first of the month on or after your hire date
    • The date you are eligible for an employer contribution (check with payroll office for start date).

If you start coverage before receiving your employer's contribution, you'll pay the full premium.

Vision, supplemental dental (Preventive, Select, Select Plus), Accident Plan, life insurance, and pre-tax savings accounts coverage generally start on the first of the month on or after your hire date but may vary by type of insurance.

Life EventsTypically within 30 days of the life event, but can vary. See the Life Events Guide for more information.The coverage effective date is determined by the life event, refer to the Life Events Guide for more information.