You’ve set up your options. Updated the portal. Sent an open enrollment reminder. Even held the Q&A. So, when you check the numbers, why have most of your employees still not completed their enrollment? 

It’s possible your benefits communications strategies might need a refresh.

Open Enrollment is one of the most important — and most stressful — times of year for HR and benefits teams. No matter how early you start or how clearly you communicate, you still wind up chasing last-minute questions, rushed decisions, and unread emails.

The truth is, most employees don’t want to think about Open Enrollment. Often, they don’t feel prepared to make informed benefits decisions, and many go on to regret the choices they made the year before.

That’s where reminders come in. Not just nudges — but essential tools to guide your employees, reduce confusion, and improve outcomes.

In this post, you’ll find:

• A set of sample email reminder templates you can customize and send today
• Best practices for improving communication and engagement
• Tips on automation and personalization to save your team time and stress

And if you’re looking for a full, year-round strategy to get ahead of the OE scramble? Check out our Ultimate Open Enrollment Roadmap — a month-by-month guide to staying organized, increasing participation, and making OE less chaotic. 

Why Open Enrollment Communication Matters

When open enrollment emails go unread, HR pays the price — with missed deadlines, rushed decisions, and preventable mistakes.

Without clear, consistent communication, employees are more likely to procrastinate, misunderstand their options, or miss their enrollment window entirely. That’s a recipe for low participation, compliance risks, and, ultimately, regret.

Let’s look at the biggest hurdles:

The Challenges of Open Enrollment Communication

• Low engagement: Even with well-written emails, many employees tune out. A crowded inbox and vague subject line are all it takes to lose their attention.
  
• Lack of understanding: According to a 2023 LegalShield study, nearly 47% of employees say they feel unprepared to make informed benefits decisions. And more than half regret their choices after the fact.
  
• Deadline pressure: Without early and ongoing reminders, HR teams end up facing a flurry of last-minute questions, rushed enrollments, and increased errors.
  

The Key to Open Enrollment Success: Frequent & Clear Communication

The most successful OE strategies treat communication like a campaign. That means:

• Multiple channels – Email is essential, but it’s not enough. Top-performing teams also use SMS, intranet posts, portal nudges, webinars, and even physical signage to cut through the noise.
  
• Automated and personalized reminders – A personalized approach will boost response rates and reduce last-minute scrambling. If your system knows who hasn’t started enrollment yet, your messaging should reflect that.
  
• Early momentum – Starting your communication early gives employees time to digest changes and ask questions. It also spreads out HR’s workload, reducing the pressure on your team as the deadline nears.

Ready-to-Use Email Templates for Open Enrollment

If you’re tired of reinventing the wheel every year  —  or scrambling to write last-minute reminders with impact  —  you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve created a set of customizable email templates HR teams can drop right into their OE campaigns.

Each template is designed to:

• Catch attention in crowded inboxes
• Reinforce key deadlines and action steps
• Build employee confidence around benefit decisions

You can use these as-is, or tweak them to fit your culture and voice. For best results, pair them with Selerix Engage to automate delivery and track who’s engaging with what.

Template 1: Standard Open Enrollment Reminder (General Announcement)

Subject line options:

• It’s Time: Open Enrollment Is Now Live
• Ready, Set, Enroll: Your Benefits Window Is Open
• Make Your Choices Count: Start Open Enrollment Today
  

Body copy:
Hi [First Name],

Open Enrollment is officially open! This is your window to review, update, and confirm your benefit choices for the year ahead. Whether you’re thinking about health coverage, financial wellness options, or new programs we’re offering this year, now’s the time to take action.

• Log in to the benefits portal
• Review what’s changing this year
• Complete your enrollment by [Deadline]

Not sure where to start? [Insert Link] has everything you need to make smart, confident decisions, from plan comparisons to FAQs.

Your benefits matter. Make sure your choices reflect what matters to you.

[CTA Button: Enroll Now]

Thanks,
[Your HR/Benefits Team]

Template 2: Nudge for Employees Who Haven’t Started

Subject line options:

• Don’t Miss Out: Benefits Enrollment Ends Soon
• Still Need to Enroll? There’s Still Time
• Heads-Up: Your Benefits Window Is Closing
  

Body copy:
Hi [First Name],

Our records show you haven’t started your benefits enrollment yet — and time is running out.

This is your once-a-year opportunity to choose the plans and programs that protect your health, finances, and future. Whether it’s making sure your dependents are covered or selecting a new plan that better fits your needs, these decisions matter.

• Deadline: [Insert Date]
• Log in here: [Insert Link]
• Not sure where to start? [Insert resource or contact info]

Don’t let this important deadline pass you by. If you have questions or need help, we’re here.

[CTA Button: Start My Enrollment]

Thanks,
[Your HR/Benefits Team]

Template 3: Complete Your Enrollment

Subject line options:

• Almost There: Don’t Forget to Finish
• You Started Open Enrollment! Let’s Wrap It Up
• Final Step: Submit Your Benefits Selections
  

Body copy:
Hi [First Name],

You’ve already started your benefits enrollment — nice work! Now make sure your selections are submitted before the deadline so you don’t miss out on the coverage you need for the year ahead.

• Enrollment closes: [Insert Date]
• Your progress: Incomplete
• Resume enrollment now: [Insert Link]

Benefits are too important to leave unfinished. If you’re unsure about your choices, we can help! Just reply to this email with your question.

[CTA Button: Finish My Enrollment]

Thanks,
[Your HR/Benefits Team]

Template 4: Final-Day Reminder

Subject line options:

• Today’s the Deadline — Enroll Now
• Final Hours to Choose Your Benefits
• It’s Now or Never: Make Your Selections Today
  

Body copy:
Hi [First Name],

Open enrollment ends today. If you haven’t completed your benefits selections yet, now is the time. After today, your options may be limited until the next enrollment period.

• Deadline: [Insert Time & Date]
• Already enrolled? You’re all set!
• Still deciding? Act now to make sure you’re covered.

Your benefits are a key part of your total compensation. Don’t leave them on the table.

[CTA Button: Enroll Now]

Questions? We’re here to help.

Thanks,
[Your HR/Benefits Team]

Template 5: Post-Enrollment Thank You + Confirmation

Subject line options:

• Thanks for Enrolling!
• Your Benefits Are Set for [Year]
• Open Enrollment Is Closed — Here’s What’s Next
  

Body copy:
Hi [First Name],

Thank you for completing your benefits enrollment for [Insert Plan Year]! Your elections have been submitted and are being processed.

Here’s what you can expect next:

• Confirmation of your selections (view/print from your enrollment portal)
• Details about your new plan(s) and coverage start dates
• ID cards (if applicable) will be mailed prior to your plan start

Need to review what you selected? [Insert link or instructions]

If you have any questions or notice anything unexpected, reach out to us right away — we’re here to help.

Thanks again for taking the time to make informed decisions about your benefits.

Best,
[Your HR/Benefits Team]

Open Enrollment Communication Strategies for Maximum Engagement

As much as what you say, open enrollment communications success hinges on how, where, and when you say it. The most effective HR teams take a multi-channel, personalized approach that meets employees where they are, across formats and timeframes. And with a platform like Selerix Engage, you don’t have to choose between scale and specificity — you get both.

Multi-Channel Communication for Maximum Reach

The average employee receives dozens of emails a day. To cut through the noise, your open enrollment messages need to show up in more than one place. Selerix Engage helps you reach every worker — whether they’re behind a desk, on the road, or on the floor — by supporting:

• Email Campaigns: Your primary vehicle for delivering benefits information, enrollment links, deadlines, and plan changes.
  
• SMS/Text Alerts: Ideal for time-sensitive nudges and last-chance reminders. Texts have far higher open rates and often prompt immediate action.
  
• HR Portal & Intranet Updates or Push Notifications: Keep all resources in one easily accessible location — like plan comparisons, FAQs, and how-to guides.
  
• Live Q&A Sessions & Webinars: Host virtual sessions to answer common questions and walk employees through the enrollment process. Use registration and attendance data to follow up accordingly.

Personalize Open Enrollment Messages for Higher Engagement

Employees don’t all need the same information — so why send them the same message? Be sure you segment and personalize your open enrollment communication based on key variables, such as:

• Demographics and Role: Tailor messages by age group, location, union affiliation, or job type to highlight the most relevant options.
  
• Eligibility and Usage Data: Target those who are newly eligible for certain plans or haven’t used certain benefits in the past.
  
• Behavioral Triggers: Send automatic reminders to employees who haven’t logged in, started, or completed their enrollment.

The result? Fewer blanket emails. More meaningful action. 

Take the Next Step: Improve Open Enrollment Communication Today

You’ve seen what’s possible when communication works — and what’s at stake when it doesn’t. Open enrollment isn’t just a compliance task; it’s a critical moment to engage employees, earn trust, and help people make informed decisions about their health and financial future.

Selerix Engage gives HR teams the tools to deliver the right message, to the right people, at the right time — across every channel. This makes it easy to coordinate all these channels from one place, personalize across different groups, track engagement by message type, and ensure no one is left out.

Whether you’re trying to drive last-minute enrollments or boost year-round benefits literacy, Selerix Engage makes it easier to plan, personalize, and prove the impact of your communication strategy.

Ready to make open enrollment less stressful — and more successful? Talk to our team about how Selerix Engage can help you improve participation, reduce confusion, and support employees from start to finish.