Open Enrollment Readiness – Technology, Strategy, and Employee Engagement

Open Enrollment (OE) remains one of the most critical — and stressful — times of year for HR teams. Success depends on more than just distributing benefit options; it requires the right technology, thoughtful planning, and strategies that keep employees engaged and informed. Yet many organizations still rely on outdated tools and manual processes that put compliance, accuracy, and employee experience at risk.

In this session, we’ll cover what HR leaders can do now to prepare for a smooth and effective open enrollment. We’ll highlight the difference between payroll-linked enrollment tools and full benefits delivery platforms, identify plan design scenarios that demand more advanced systems, and share strategies to scale HR capacity when bandwidth is stretched. Real-world examples will demonstrate how proactive preparation yields better outcomes for both employees and HR teams.

Key Takeaways:

• How to prepare your HR team and systems for a successful open enrollment season.
• Why benefits administration technology is critical to engagement, compliance, and retention.
• The difference between a payroll-linked tool and a benefits delivery platform.
• Plan design “red flags” that require advanced functionality.
• Strategies to support HR teams and ensure a smooth OE experience for employees.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the critical steps HR leaders should take to prepare for open enrollment in 2026.
2. Differentiate between payroll-linked enrollment tools and comprehensive benefits delivery platforms.
3. Evaluate plan design complexities (e.g., voluntary benefits, whole life, complex eligibility) that require advanced benefits administration systems.
4. Apply strategies to scale HR capacity and improve employee engagement during peak enrollment period