Open Enrollment Readiness Center
A free, private, no-information-required educational planning tool for employers organizing employee communications and support around an upcoming open enrollment. Answer four fixed-choice questions and we'll produce a transparent, prioritized readiness plan — your readiness level, what to do before, during, and after enrollment, who normally acts on each step, and how to prepare securely for a conversation with your SSGI advisor.
This is an educational planning tool only. It is not legal advice, a plan document, an enrollment transaction, a coverage recommendation, or a live generative-AI assistant. Nothing you select is saved, sent, or shared. For guidance tailored to your circumstances, talk to an SSGI advisor.
Time until enrollment begins
How soon does your open enrollment window open?
How an open enrollment runs
Open enrollment isn't a single email — it's a five-phase cycle. Here's how the phases line up, from preparation through ongoing support. This model applies whether you're a small, growing team or a larger, multi-location employer.
Prepare
Confirm your window, plan(s), contributions, and roles. Set the operating model and draft your communication plan before anything goes out.
Announce
Send the initial announcement with clear dates, what's changing, and where to get help. Make sure managers are briefed first.
Educate
Offer plain-language education touchpoints — sessions, walkthroughs, Q&A — so employees understand their choices, not just the deadline.
Enroll
Open the window, track participation, and follow up with non-responders. Keep support routes staffed and visible throughout.
Support
After the window closes, confirm completion and billing, close the loop with employees, and review what to improve next cycle.
Who does what during open enrollment
Clear roles keep enrollment on track. Here's how the responsibilities typically divide — and where SSGI's role as an independent advisor begins and ends.
Employers / HR
Own the enrollment calendar, approve plan(s) and contributions, send employee communications, track participation, and follow up with non-responders.
SSGI (independent advisor)
Advises on plan design and contributions at a business level, reviews communication materials for clarity, and helps route enrollment questions. SSGI is an independent benefits agency and advisor — not a carrier, third-party administrator, fiduciary, legal adviser, enrollment system, or system of record.
Carriers / vendors
Provide the plan(s), enrollment platform, billing, and member-level support. Carriers and vendors remain responsible for their own products, enrollment, and billing.
Employees
Review their options, ask questions, and make their own enrollment decisions by the deadline. Employers and SSGI can educate and support — employees decide.
SSGI is an independent benefits agency and advisor. SSGI is not a carrier, third-party administrator, fiduciary, legal adviser, enrollment system, or system of record. Carriers and vendors remain responsible for their own products, enrollment, and billing; SSGI coordinates and advises. BenefitZone is a third-party portal destination only.
Four messages you can adapt
Generic, truthful starters for the four moments that matter most during open enrollment. Each one is a starting point — review and customize every bracketed detail before sending. None contain invented deadlines or benefits, and none solicit sensitive information.
Initial announcement
Send when your enrollment window opens (or just before).
[Employer: review and customize before sending] Open enrollment for [year] is open from [start date] through [end date]. This is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and make changes for the year ahead. What you can do during open enrollment: - Review your current coverage and confirm it still fits your needs. - Make changes to your plan(s) or add/remove dependents. - Enroll in benefits you don't currently have. To get started, visit [enrollment portal link] and sign in with your credentials. If you have questions, you can: - Attend [info session details, if any]. - Contact [SSGI / carrier / HR support route] at [contact details]. Please complete your enrollment by [end date]. After the window closes, you generally cannot make changes until the next open enrollment or a qualifying life event. [Employer: confirm all bracketed details — dates, links, contacts, and session info — before sending. Do not include any individual employee, medical, or claims information in this message.]
Reminder
Send midway through the enrollment window.
[Employer: review and customize before sending] Reminder: open enrollment for [year] closes on [end date]. If you've already completed your enrollment, thank you — no further action is needed. If you haven't enrolled yet, this is a good time to: - Review your options at [enrollment portal link]. - Make any changes before the deadline. - Reach out with any questions. If you need help, contact [SSGI / carrier / HR support route] at [contact details]. Please complete your enrollment by [end date]. [Employer: confirm all bracketed details before sending. Do not include any individual employee, medical, or claims information in this message.]
Last call
Send 48–72 hours before the enrollment window closes.
[Employer: review and customize before sending] Final reminder: open enrollment for [year] closes on [end date]. After the window closes, you generally cannot make changes until the next open enrollment or a qualifying life event. If you haven't enrolled yet, please complete your enrollment at [enrollment portal link] before the deadline. If you need help right now, contact [SSGI / carrier / HR support route] at [contact details]. [Employer: confirm all bracketed details before sending. Do not include any individual employee, medical, or claims information in this message.]
Where to get help
Include in every message, or send as a standalone note.
[Employer: review and customize before sending] If you have questions during open enrollment, here's where to get help: - For plan questions and enrollment support: [carrier / vendor support route] at [contact details]. - For benefits strategy and general guidance: SSGI at VIP@ssgibenefits.com or 800-440-1045 (by appointment). - For portal access or login issues: [enrollment portal support route] at [contact details]. - For HR-specific questions: [HR contact route] at [contact details]. Please do not include sensitive personal, medical, or claims information in email or chat. Use the secure portal or call a verified contact directly. [Employer: confirm all bracketed details before sending. SSGI is an independent benefits advisor, not a carrier or enrollment system.]
These starters are templates only. Confirm all dates, links, contacts, and plan details before sending. Do not include any individual employee, medical, claims, Medicare, Social Security, payroll, or member-level information in email or chat.
This planner is an educational planning tool only. It is not legal advice, a plan document, an enrollment transaction, a coverage recommendation, or a live generative-AI assistant. It does not store anything you select. The plan it produces is derived only from your four fixed selections. For guidance tailored to your circumstances, talk to an SSGI advisor.