It’s that time of the year again.  With the advent of Fall brings about our Annual Benefits Open Enrollment.  Soon, we will have an opportunity to change or update our contractually negotiated Healthcare Benefits.

While, in the past, annual open enrollment for employees occurred in October and open enrollment for retirees followed that, this year the company has made a change to this sequence.  Retirees start the open enrollment process with a separate enrollment period that opens on October 11, 2021 and will run through October 29, 2021.  Following that and beginning on November 1, 2021, the Annual Benefits Enrollment period for active employees starts and will remain open until November 19, 2021.   We have been advised that this change to the timing of the enrollment process will continue beyond 2021.

Both active and retired Flight Attendants will be receiving a printed United Benefits Enrollment guide which highlights the changes to non-core 2022 Health Benefits.  The enrollment period this year is shorter than in the past, so be sure to check your guide and begin the enrollment process within the new shortened timeline.  

It is critical that each of us understands the benefit options available to make informed decisions about your 2022 coverage.  Visit United’s new educational website at www.nowboardingbenefits.com to help you understand your 2022 benefits.  As a reminder, there will not be in-person Annual Enrollment fairs in the bases.

Enrollment is completed through United’s “Your Benefits Resource (YBR) website, which may be accessed through the “Useful Websites Link” on our website; or you may call the United Airlines Benefits Center with questions regarding enrolling or using the “Your Benefits Resource” website at (800) 651-1007.

In addition, if you have not already done so, you may want to consider setting up, in advance, access to the Alight Mobile app.  This will allow you to access your United benefits from the convenience of your smartphone using your Flying Together credentials.  Also, consider electing to receive text messages from the United Airlines Benefits Center to ensure you receive timely reminders about important topics during annual enrollment.