Island Flex (FSA) Contribution Changes: The IRS requires your enrollment in Island Flex to continue for the entire plan year. However, you may modify your contributions if you have a valid “status change.” Examples of valid status changes include, without limitation, marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, death of a spouse or dependent, or a spouse’s change in employment. If you have a valid “status change,” you must complete the and return it to NBS within 90 days of the status change event.

The 2026 Island Flex Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) program open enrollment period is March 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026. Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to add, drop or change your benefit elections and dependents. The elections you make go into effect July 1, 2026, and continue through June 30, 2027. Open enrollment is your only opportunity to make changes to your Flexible Spending Account Program enrollment without experiencing a qualifying event.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026: The new plan year beginning July 1, 2026 will be administered by Aviben. For questions related to the new plan year or general program inquiries, employees may contact Aviben at (808) 210-2009.

COMMUTER BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII EMPLOYEES

About the Island Flex FSA Program

This program allows employees to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical, dental, drug, and vision expenses, as well as dependent care expenses (i.e., pre-school tuition, A+, adult daycare, and/or babysitter expenses), with before-tax dollars. Employees do not pay federal, state, or social security taxes on those monies, and this results in more take-home pay. Learn more about the Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax).

Medical FSA Contribution and Carryover Limit for Plan Year 2026

The maximum annual contribution limit for Medical FSA is $2,750.00 per plan year and the Medical FSA carryover limit is $550.00.

What does this mean for Island Flex��and when do the changes go into effect?

It means that during the��Island Flex��open enrollment for Plan Year 7/1/26 – 6/30/27 and going forward, you have the opportunity to elect up to $2,750.00 for the Medical FSA and be able to rollover up to $550.00 of unused Medical FSA funds from one plan year to the next.

What can I do during open enrollment?

You can enroll or re-enroll in a Medical and/or Dependent Care flexible spending account (FSA).

View the for more Program and OE information.

• If you are currently participating in the FSA program, your enrollment will end on June 30, 2026. To continue participation, you must re-enroll during the open enrollment period.
• Lecturers that terminate during the summer should enroll in Fall (not during open enrollment) and must be an ERS member to enroll.

If you wish to enroll or re-enroll in FSA:

I.�� Enroll Online (Enter the New User Code: ESN-HAWAII)

• Online enrollment provides immediate confirmation.

2.�� Download and complete the Island Flex enrollment form and submit it directly to Aviben.

• Drop-off, mail, or secure upload directly to Aviben no later than April 30, 2026
  • In Person: 1314 S King St, Suite 304B, Honolulu, HI 96814 (office hours: Monday-Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, closed on State and Federal holidays)
  • Mail: Aviben, 1314 S King St, Suite 304B, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • Secure Document Upload:

Open Enrollment Informational Workshops and Webinars

Webinar sessions allow participants to listen to the presenter, view the session presentations online, and ask questions. Sessions are approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour long. Dates and times may be subject to change on short notice. You may use up to 1 hour of work time to view a webinar.

To access the Zoom webinar, click and follow the prompts. All that is needed is a computer with Internet access and audio capabilities.

Resources & Quick Links

• Visit for more information or contact Aviben at 808-210-2009 or 888-233-4931 with any enrollment questions

The post 2026 Island Flex FSA Open Enrollment appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

A pension plan, governed and administered by the, in which��participants may receive a specific monthly benefit upon retirement age, based on years of service and salary history.

Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the ERS pension plan.

The post Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Pension appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

The Plan is intended to help you save for retirement using pre-tax contributions, Roth 457 contributions, and potential tax–deferred growth.

The plan is currently administered by Empower. Participation in the 457(b) plan is completely voluntary.

Refer to on the program and to set a course for a more financially secured retirement.

The post 457(b) Island Savings Plan appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

Pre-tax basis means that the money used to invest in the 403(b) plan is not taxed until the funds are withdrawn.

You may also choose to invest in the 403(b) plan on an after-tax (Roth) basis.�� Roth contributions are taxed at the time of the investment through contributions and earnings grow tax-free until withdrawn.�� Qualified distribution will allow you to withdraw your money tax-free.

You may choose one or the other, or a combination of both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth).�� Participation in the 403(b) plan is completely voluntary.

Watch this short video to learn more about setting up your 403(b) account.

The post 403(b) Savings Plan (pre-tax or post-tax (Roth)) appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, the earnings on the account grow tax-deferred, and distributions used for qualified higher education expenses are tax-free (Hawaiʻi State and federal taxes).

Employees are allowed to contribute to HI529 through payroll deduction.

The post HI529 Hawaiʻi College Savings Program appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

By directing “before tax” money from the employee’s paycheck into one or both of these accounts, employees may be reimbursed on eligible out-of-pocket medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision expenses and dependent care expenses.

For details on the program, see the .

National Benefits Services (NBS) will continue to administer the current plan year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). All claims and inquiries for dates of service prior to July 1, 2026 should be directed to NBS at (808) 465-2284.

NEW FOR PLAN YEAR 2026-2027: Beginning July 1, 2026, the Third Party Administrator (TPA) for Flexible Spending Accounts will be Aviben. Aviben will be sending communication directly to current 2025-2026 FSA participants regarding these administrative updates in Feb 2026. For questions related to the new plan year (2026-2027) or general program inquiries, employees may contact Aviben at (808) 210-2009.��

The post Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax) appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

Social Security may be part of the retirement income. Employees may receive a lifetime benefit as early as age 62 or wait to receive full retirement benefits based on the birth year. The Social Security program’s benefits include retirement income, disability income, Medicare and Medicaid, and death and survivorship benefits.

The post Medicare & Social Security appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

Participation in the PTS Plan is mandatory. Your contribution to this PTS Plan replaces your contribution to Social Security (however, a Medicare contribution is still required).

Each pay period, 7.5% of your gross pay will be deducted from your paycheck in place of the 6.2% amount for Social Security. Since this 7.5% will be deducted before State and Federal taxes are applied, your net pay should not be much different than if you contribute to Social Security.

The post PTS Retirement Plan (pre-tax) appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

Employees are eligible to enroll in any available plan at the time of your retirement regardless of health plans in/not enrolled in prior to retirement.

The post Retirement Health Insurance Benefits (EUTF) appeared first on Office of Human Resources.

Watch this short introductory video to learn how Savi can help.

The post Savi – Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program Assistance appeared first on Office of Human Resources.