Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows

Open Enrollment 2026-2027 Is Closed

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Your 2026-2027 Guide

The Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows Benefits Enrollment Guide is now available with details about the upcoming plan year.

ON THIS PAGE:

Welcome, Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows

Welcome to the Penn Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows Benefits Plan for 2026–2027. When it comes to making crucial decisions related to your health and well-being, the Postdoc Benefits Plan can be a supportive and comprehensive resource. These benefits are used by thousands of Penn employees every day and are integral to our strength as a community.

All postdocs should refer to their appointment letter to understand the details of their eligibility. Any questions or concerns regarding eligibility or open enrollment can be answered by our partners at Health Advocate. 

Postdocs are eligible to enroll in benefits on their first date of appointment. The benefits package provided by the University provides postdocs enhanced support across the spectrum of areas related to health and well-being. The plan changes take effect July 1, 2026. 

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research is committed to continually advancing the University’s support of postdocs. Postdocs are an essential component to the outcomes of our research and scholarship, which have tremendous societal impact. Equally important is ensuring support for their roles as partners, parents, and community members.

The benefits outlined below are designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family.

    Benefits Eligibility: Postdocs vs NRSA Fellows

    There are three categories of postdocs at Penn based upon funding source: postdoctoral researcher (supported from a research grant), NRSA-postdoctoral fellow (supported by an individual or institutional National Research Service Award), and postdoctoral fellow (supported by a private foundation, non-profit charitable organization, or other sources).

    Benefits for Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows: Postdoctoral Researchers, Postdoctoral Fellows, and NRSA Fellows are eligible for the Postdoc Benefits Plan through Penn Human Resources. All postdocs are required to either waive or enroll in these benefits during their onboarding or Open Enrollment.

    The table below summarizes eligibility for benefits based on postdoc category. 

     

    BenefitPostdoctoral Researcher/FellowNRSA Fellow
    Medical Coverage (including fertility)
    coverage begins on day 1 of appt.
    all options, except the PPO plan, meet J-1 requirements    		HMO
    POS
    PPO    		HMO
    POS
    PPO
    Dental CoverageMetlife DentalMetlife Dental
    Vision CoverageDavis Vision Plan VSPDavis Vision Plan VSP
    Evacuation and Repatriation InsuranceEligibleEligible
    Short-term DisabilityEligibleEligible
    Long-term DisabilityEligibleNot eligible
    Basic Life InsuranceEligibleEligible ($50,000)
    403(b) Tax-deferred AnnuityEligibleNot eligible*
    Dependent Care Spending AccountEligibleNot eligible*
    NRSA Childcare AllowanceNot eligibleEligible
    Employee Assistance ProgramEligibleEligible
    Penn COBALT (mental health resource)EligibleEligible
    Back-Up Family CareEligible through Penn HRSupport available through
    Penn Family Center
    Parking BenefitEligibleEligible (w/ post-tax contribution)
    Commuting ProgramEligibleNot eligible*
    FICA taxEligibleNot eligible*
    Gym membership discountEligibleEligible
    Biometric screeningsEligibleEligible

    *Under IRS guidance, the University is not permitted to treat NRSA fellows as university employees and participate in pre-tax employee benefits.

    Looking Ahead to the 2026-2027 Plan Year

    Working Spouse Contribution

    Effective July 1, 2026, a working spouse contribution of $100 per month ($23.08 weekly for 52 paychecks) may apply if your spouse has access to group medical coverage through an outside employer but enrolls in one of Penn’s medical plans. The working spouse contribution will be deducted on a pre-tax basis (post-tax for NRSA postdocs).  

    For details about the Working Spouse Contribution and whether it applies to you, please visit the Working Spouse Contribution webpage.

    During Open Enrollment, faculty, staff, postdocs, and NRSA Fellows who have a spouse enrolled in one of Penn’s medical plans or who add a spouse to one of Penn’s medical plans will be required to log into Workday and select or waive the Working Spouse Contribution. By waiving the contribution, you are attesting that your spouse/domestic partner does not have access to other coverage through their employer. 

    Even if you do not make changes to your benefits coverage, you must complete the process in Workday if you are covering your spouse/domestic partner on one of Penn’s medical plans. If you do not take action, you will be defaulted to the $100 monthly contribution. 

    J-1 Visa Requirement for Health Insurance

    Postdoctoral Researchers, Fellows, and NRSA Fellows here on a J-1 Visa and who enroll in Penn’s coverage must elect one of the plans that meet the J-1 Visa requirement for health insurance.  As of July 1, 2026, Keystone HMO and Aetna POS II are the two plans that meet the necessary requirements. Travel Assistance is provided to all J1 Visa Holders through MetLife. For more details, review the brochure. 

    Re-elect to Continue Participating in Flexible Spending Accounts

    You will need to re-elect your Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts to continue coverage in the new plan year.
    • Unlike your medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, which rolls over to the next plan year if you don’t make changes, you must re-elect your Flexible Spending Account this year if you wish to continue participation in the plan.
    • If you do not re-elect the coverage for the upcoming plan year, you will be defaulted with a $0 annual goal amount, and you will not be able to enroll in the plan until the next Open Enrollment period unless you have a qualifying life event. 
    • Please log in to Workday to review and re-elect your FSA. If you need assistance, please contact Health Advocate at 1-866-799-2329.
    • Note: Due to IRS regulations, NRSA Fellows are not eligible to participate in Flexible Spending Accounts.

    Higher Contribution Amount Allowed for Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

    The maximum contribution you can make to your Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is increasing from $5,000 to $7,500. Highly compensated employees’ maximum remains at $2,500. You cannot roll over any unused DCFSA funds to the following plan year. Due to an IRS regulation known as “use it or lose it,” if you don’t use the full balance in your DCFSA each plan year, you forfeit the unused money. 

    Higher Health Care Flexible Spending Account Rollover Increase

    The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) helps you pay for eligible healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars. The maximum annual contribution remains$3,400. In the new plan year, the amount you can roll over to the next plan year will increase from $660 to $680. You will forfeit any remaining balance over $680.     

    Additional Voluntary Benefits Options

    Penn is enhancing its Penn Benefits Extras program, administered by Corestream, with new voluntary benefits such as legal services, purchase financing, and pet wellness. Learn more on the Penn Benefit Extras webpage. 

    PennCare/Personal Choice PPO Transitions to New Behavioral Health Provider

    Independence Behavioral Health Network (IBX) will replace Quest Behavioral Health as the behavioral health provider for the PennCare/Personal Choice health plan. Independence has made significant investments to expand and strengthen its behavioral health network, which now includes Penn Medicine providers. IBX is working with Quest to ensure a smooth transition, continuity of care, and expanded provider participation, including to bring some Quest providers onboard as an in-network provider. For information about your providers' participation, contact the Benefit Solution Center at 866-799-2329. Behavioral health providers for all other medical plans will remain the same. 

    Health Plan Deductible Increase

    Effective July 1, 2026, health plan deductibles will increase by $125. This adjustment helps manage rising healthcare costs while continuing to offer comprehensive coverage for our faculty, staff, and postdocs. 

    Curalinc is Penn’s Employee Assistance Program Provider

    Curalinc, a recognized leader in providing comprehensive EAP solutions, is Penn’s Employee Assistance Program provider. Penn offers both preventative and treatment services to Penn employees and their families through the EAP. All Penn benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs have 24/7 access to masters-level intake counselors via the EAP, which offers free confidential counseling services to help you manage challenges. You can reach out in any of the following ways:

    Medical, Dental and Vision Rates

    For the 2026-2027 plan year, medical plan rates and Penn Dental Plan rates will increase, while MetLife Dental Plan and vision plan rates will remain the same. Review the Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows Benefits Enrollment Guide for complete rate information.

    New Identification Cards for Penn Care/Personal Choice Plan Holders 

    All Penn Care/Personal Choice Plan holders will receive new identification cards mailed to their homes at the end of June.

    All changes are effective July 1,2026

    Enrollment Process with Workday@Penn

    Be sure to review your available choices in Workday. You must enroll in order to have coverage. Use the steps below to enroll.

    1. With Your PennKey and password log in to Workday at: www.myworkday.com/upenn/login.html.
    2. From your home page, select Open Enrollment – Event in your inbox.
    3. Click Let’s Get Started.
    4. A set of tiles will show the benefit items you can view or change.
    5. Select Manage/Enroll on the benefit that you would like to review.
    6. Add dependents and beneficiaries if applicable.
    7. Complete this for each benefit tile you wish to enroll in.
    8. Once you have completed your elections, click Review and Sign at the bottom of page. If you added a new dependent that does not appear in Workday, you will be required to provide a dependent verification. You can upload this information by clicking Select Files in the attachment box and attaching the documents on this screen. 
    9. Review your elections and scroll down to bottom and click "I Accept"
    10. To complete the process click Submit.
    11. Print your confirmation statement.
    12. To view full self-service tip sheet on how to enroll: Self Service: Manage, View and Change Your Open Enrollment Elections.

    During Open Enrollment, you can make changes to your benefits coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Benefits, Comp and Pay Hub via Workday@Penn at http://www.myworkday.com/upenn/login.html. Read the Self-Service: Manage, View and Change Your Benefits Workday tip sheet for instructions.

    Model My Pay Tool Feature

    • While in Workday, click on the Model My Pay feature to estimate how changes to your pre-tax and post-tax deductions and federal and state tax elections may impact your net, or take home, pay.
    • Read the Self-Service: Model My Pay tip sheet.
    • Note: Model My Pay is for informational purposes only.

    Benefits Presentation

    To learn about plan changes for the upcoming plan year, you can download a PDF of the Benefits 2026-2027 Presentation.

    Updating Your Life Insurance Beneficiaries

    Please review and update your life insurance beneficiary information in the Benefits, Comp and Pay Hub in Workday.

    Your Contributions

    Your contributions for medical, dental, vision, and the flexible spending accounts are made with pre-tax dollars. You pay for employee and dependent life insurance with after-tax dollars. All contributions are taken from your paycheck in the month for which your benefits are effective. Your pay must support your contributions for the benefits elected. If your pay doesn't support your contributions, then your enrollment cannot be processed.

    Making Changes to Your Elections Outside of Open Enrollment

    If you have a qualifying life event you may be eligible to make changes to your benefit elections outside of Open Enrollment. For more information visit the Qualifying Life Event Changes page.

    For More Information