Skip to content

Recent News and Updates

NEWS

October 27, 2025

UCnet Open Enrollment Website is LIVE!

2026 plan year changes and costs are live on UCnet. This year, there are a number of premium and plan changes, so please ensure you utilize the resources provided to ensure you are in the right plan for your situation.

Please open and review Open Enrollment (OE) mailers, read about the plan changes on the UCnet OE site, and check out the new and improved ALEX tool.

Below are the additional resources that the UC Merced Benefits Team and others are providing. You can also view any links by opening the following PDF: Open Enrollment Resources Flyer.

More information can be found on our UCM Open Enrollment Website

October 24, 2025

Retiree Open Enrollment Office Hours

RASC is offering office hours for Retirees during Open Enrollment. These sessions are a great opportunity to have your questions about Open Enrollment answered! 

Join them every Thursday from noon - 1 pm. Click here for the link for virtual access 

  • Oct 23
  • Oct 30
  • Nov 6
  • Nov 13
  • Nov 20

During these sessions, the Insurance Team will be available to explain enrollment procedures, share best practices, and guide you through the steps of the Open Enrollment (OE) process. Check out this flyer for more information.

October 13, 2025

Multi-factor Authentication is required for UCRAYS

Effective October 12, 2025, all UCRAYS users are required to use multi-factor authentication (MFA), also known as Enhanced Login Security (ELS) when logging in or registering a new account. This added layer of protection helps safeguard your personal information by verifying your identity through your cell phone and/or personal email. 

UC Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC) has sent email and postal communications to members who had not yet enrolled in ELS and lacked personal email addresses or cell phone numbers on file. These instructions include detailed instructions on how to update their profiles.

October 7, 2025

Health Net - Launched a New "Find a Provider" tool

Health Net has launched a new Find a Provider Tool to improve member experience on https://uc.healthnetcalifornia.com/.

Resources available: 

The UC Path team is in the process of updating the instructions in the system for finding a network provider Enrollment ID Number, which is required for the newly eligible employees to select their primary care provider during plan enrollment. Check out this flyer for more information.

September 26, 2025

Important Update: Farmers Insurance Program Discontinued.

Due to major shifts in California’s insurance market, the University of California and Farmers Insurance have decided to not renew their partnership agreement ending in late October of this year.

As a result, the Farmers Home and Auto Insurance® program is no longer available to UC staff or retirees who don't have a policy signed before October 25, 2025. This applies to all 10 UC campuses, six health centers, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC College of the Law, and Berkeley Lab. This will not impact existing policy holders, or prevent the UC community from working with Farmers outside of the UC program.

Farmers was unable to meet the terms of the original agreement under the new market conditions. Given these market pressures, we encourage staff and retirees to explore alternative insurance options on the open market.

September 2, 2025

Delta Dental - Multi-factor Authentication 

Delta Dental has started implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all online user accounts. If you have dental benefits, you will receive email notifications from Delta Dental informing you of this change, and you will be prompted to enroll in MFA the next time you log in.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication? 

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to help protect user accounts against threats such as phishing and credential theft. These types of attacks are becoming increasingly common among cybercriminals seeking unauthorized access to sensitive information. 

For more information, please refer to the "Member FAQ's" on the Delta Dental website. 

July 18, 2025

UCRP Retirement Review

The 2025 Retirement Review is now available on myUCRetirement.com for UC career employees enrolled in the University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP). The Retirement Review for career employees who selected the Savings Choice option will be released at a later date. 

What is the retirement review?

It offers a snapshot of the retirement income the UC Employees are projected to receive from all UC retirement benefits. It includes:

  1. An estimate of their potential monthly retirement income
  2. The percentage of their current income that they are on track to replace in retirement - their Retirement Readiness Score.

What does it include?

  • It encompasses the UCRP Pension and the Defined Contribution (DC) supplement, if applicable.
  • Account balances in the UC 403(b), 457(b), and/or DC Plans.
  • As well as Capital Accumulation Payment (CAP) balances, where applicable.  

To learn more, visit the UC Retirement Review Information Page.

May 12, 2025

Supplemental Health Mobile App

Prudential has launched a new Supplemental Health Plan Mobile App, designed to improve access to and support for employees in the UC's supplemental health benefits - Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity. The app is now available for download in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The app provides key benefits such as:

  • Easy access to coverage details
  • Fast and secure claims submission
  • Real-time notifications 

This mobile app provides employees a simple and intuitive way to manage their coverage anytime, anywhere. See the QR code in the flyer below to download.

 

April 30, 2025

Monthly Medicare Webinars with RASC

The Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC) hosts webinars to help walk retirees and employees through Medicare. 

Join RASC every 4th Thursday of the month from 10 am to 11:30 am.

Zoom link: https://bit.ly/RASCMedicareMonthly

  • Learn the basics of Medicare and UC-sponsored medical. 
    • Medicare eligibility
    • Coordination with UC medical plans
    • Coverage options
    • Returning to work after UC retirement? 
    • Q&A session

April 14, 2025

 

Registration opens TODAY, April 14th!. 

 

Join us for the UC systemwide 4-week Spring into Motion Challenge! Each UC campus will have a team and will compete to see which campus gets the most movement by the end of the month.

  • Challenge runs May 5th to June 1st.
  • Join our team to represent UC Merced and for a chance to win a raffle prize!
  • Record daily physical activity starting May 5 with your favorite tracker or on your mobile or desktop device.

Sign up here

Check out our webpage for more information.

 

April 11, 2025

Systemwide Benefits Survey 

UC Systemwide Human Resources is collaborating with Deloitte Consulting LLP to conduct a comprehensive faculty and staff employee benefits survey. The purpose of the survey is to capture your feedback around the UC's employee benefits programs offered and help determine how the UC's offerings can better serve you. Survey responses are confidential and deidentified to protect your privacy. Responses will be collected and analyzed by Deloitte. 

Please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu for more information or email UC.Benefits.Survey@UCOP.edu if you have any questions.

 

March 27, 2025

Meet Midi Health 

Midi is a healthcare provider that offers expert care for people experiencing perimenopause and menopause symptoms. 

  • Vitual care from anywhere
  • Compassionate clinicians
  • Providers are already in network with Anthem

Their providers are available in all 50 states and are an in-network provider for UC Care, UC Health Savings Plan, and Core plans. 

You can book a visit at www.joinmidi.com/uc

Additionally, they have a webinar scheduled on May 13th from 10-11 am for all UC employees. Register here

March 13, 2025

Family Member Eligibility Reverification 

Continue your family's UC Benefits

To make sure we use UC's benefits resources wisely, periodically UC will ask plan members to reverify the eligibility of dependents enrolled in Health and Welfare benefit plans. Some dependent relationships may change over time, and FMEV recertification ensures that only those family members who are eligible continue to be enrolled. Dependents included in the reverification may consist of your spouse, domestic partner, stepchild, grandchild/step grandchild, legal ward or overaged disabled child. 

Employees and retirees will receive a packet of material from UnifyHR with detailed instructions on how to complete the recertification process. Recipients must respond by the deadline shown on their letter or risk disenrollment of their family members from UC benefits. 

Review the FMEV page on UC Net for more information.

FMEV English/Spanish Poster

 

 

 

2024

November 5, 2024

Donor Milk Drive

Madera County Breastfeeding Coalition (MCBC), Dignity Health, and the University of California Health Milk Bank are partnering to host a Donor Milk Drive.

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

1604 Sunrise Ave, Madera, CA 93638 in the Oz Conference Room

Extra milk supply that is donated to the UC Health Milk Bank is processed and distributed to NICUs and families in need. Check out this link to register and learn more.

 

 

October 17, 2024

Be careful about financial advisor solicitations. 

UC retirees and employees recently have reported unauthorized and misleading financial adviser solicitations. These messages, delivered through emails, invitations, and cold calls, often purport to help with retirement planning. Most are intentionally misleading and suggest that UC is endorsing their services.

Check out the full article on UCnet or more information. 

October 1, 2024

Save the Date for Open Enrollment: Oct 31 - Nov 22, 2024

Open Enrollment is just around the corner! It’s time to start thinking about your elections and any changes you would like to make.

Human Resources will host an in-person Open Enrollment Benefits & Wellness Fair on Thursday, October 31st where you can learn about the various Open Enrollment options, meet with UCOP and local vendors, enjoy refreshments, and have your questions answered in person.

Updates and resources will be posted on our Open Enrollment Webpage when released in the coming weeks.

 

MFA to be enabled on UnifyHR Portal as of 10/1/24

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Unify HR will enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for employees and retirees logging into their portal to complete Family Member Eligibility Verification (FMEV). MFA adds an extra layer of security by verifying a user's identity before access is granted. Below are the steps required for new and editing users: 

New Users: After setting up their account, new users will be asked to authenticate. A code will be sent to their email address and they will need to enter their username, password, and 8-digit code to log into the portal.

Existing Users: Upon login in, existing users will be asked to authenticate. A code will be sent to their email address on file, and they will need to enter their username, password, and 8-digit code to log into the portal.

August 26, 2024 

MFA for Fidelity Accounts Starting 9/10/24

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Fidelity will enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) at login and require contact information for the NetBenefits® accounts of existing UC employees.   

With MFA, an extra layer of security is added to employee accounts to protect against compromised or weak passwords. In addition, requiring employee contact information allows Fidelity to enable MFA and to send security alerts. 

What will be enabled?
•    MFA at login will be automatically enabled for employees with a mobile number on file and enforced at their next login. 
•    If there is missing contact information, employees will be prompted to provide a personal mobile number and email. 
No universal employee notification will be sent as employees may already be familiar with MFA and expect it at login.

MFA at login experience: 
•    Employees will be challenged at login with a one-time passcode or other authenticator (e.g., push authentication). The one-time passcode can be sent via Short Message Service (SMS) text or robocall (for landline support). 
•    Employees can choose to "trust" specific devices to avoid repeat challenges on devices they use regularly. Trusted devices can be viewed and managed in the NetBenefits® Security Center.

 

Deferred Lifetime Income 

In 2021, UC introduced an enhancement to the Retirement Savings Program's Pathway Funds: Deferred Lifetime Income (DLI). This optional deferred income annuity lets participants convert a portion of their UC 403(b), 457(b), or DC Plan balance into fixed monthly payments beginning at age 78, when they may need it most. 

This year's purchase window is open from September 3 through September 25, 2024. Retirement Savings Program participants, both active and former employees/retirees, between the ages of 62 and 69 who meet other criteria are eligible to purchase DLI. 

Deferred Lifetime Income communication materials were sent to eligible participants in August 2024. To learn more, participants can attend a webcast on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 12:00pm, Pacific Time. They may also visit myUCretirement.com for a tutorial, DLI income estimator and video from UC's Cheif Investment Officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher. 

Participants may contact Fidelity at 1-800-558-9182 with any questions about Deferred Lifetime Income.