Open Enrollment may be over, but the communications shouldn’t stop there. Employees have just made some of their biggest financial and personal decisions of the year — often while juggling 10 other things. A well-timed follow-up helps them feel confident, informed and cared for. 

Here are 10 practical messages you can send for a variety of situations — each with a suggested subject line, rationale and sample message.

1. When you’re sending a post-enrollment survey

Why it matters: Asking for feedback signals that employee opinions shape what comes next.
Subject line: How did Open Enrollment go? We want to know.
Message:
Thanks for taking the time to make your benefit choices. We’d love your quick feedback on what worked well and how we can improve next year. Your input helps us make Open Enrollment simpler and more useful for everyone. 

2. When premiums increased this year

Why it matters: Transparency builds credibility and shows empathy.
Subject line: How we’re managing benefit costs
Message:
We know this year brought some changes in premium rates. Our goal is to keep your coverage strong and costs manageable.  

Here’s what we’re doing now to keep your benefits strong and affordable in the future. 

3. When your company emphasizes personal choice

Why it matters: Employees feel more confident and satisfied when they’re reminded they made thoughtful decisions — and have tools to get the most from them.
Subject line: Your benefits, your way
Message:
Thanks for taking the time to make the benefit choices that are right for you. Whether you prioritized cost, coverage, flexibility or some combination, your benefits are designed to fit your life. 

Explore the resources that can help you make the most of your selections [insert relevant links]. 

4. When you introduced a new benefit

Why it matters: Keeps momentum going and encourages early adoption.
Subject line: Your new [benefit name] starts soon — here’s what to expect
Message:
We’re continuing to evolve our benefits to better support you. Starting January 1, you’ll have access to [new benefit]. Here’s why we added it, how it works and where to go if you have questions.  

5. When you want to help employees confirm their choices

Why it matters: A quick confirmation builds confidence and prevents confusion later.
Subject line: Your 2025 benefits are confirmed — here’s what to do next
Message:
Open Enrollment is complete, and your benefit elections for 2025 are confirmed. Take a moment to review your confirmation statement to be sure everything looks right. 

If you didn’t make changes this year, your previous elections carry over automatically. If you notice anything unexpected or have questions, we’re here to help at [contact info].

6. When you just want to say thank you

Why it matters: Gratitude builds goodwill and trust.
Subject line: Thank you for making your 2025 benefit choices
Message:
Thanks for taking the time to complete your benefits enrollment. We hope you feel confident in your choices and ready for the year ahead.  

You’re an important part of what makes our workplace great. Let us know if you have questions.  

 7. When you’re planning to communicate year-round

Why it matters: Keeps benefits top-of-mind and positions HR as a year-round resource.
Subject line: We’re here for you all year long
Message:
Open Enrollment may be over, but our support doesn’t stop there. We’ll be sharing quick tips and resources throughout the year to help you get the most from your benefits — starting with January’s focus on preventive care. 

8. When you want to collect employee stories

Why it matters: Real stories make benefits feel personal and valuable, and inviting employees to share their experiences just might turn up some storytelling gems.
Subject line: How have your benefits made life a little easier?
Message:
We’re collecting brief stories from employees about how they’ve used their benefits — whether it’s finding a great doctor, saving through an HSA or getting support when life got complicated. 

Your story could help others discover new ways to make the most of their benefits. We’ll share selected stories in a way that ensures individuals cannot be identified, and names will not be used. 

If you’d like to contribute, email [contact info] or reply to this message with a few sentences about your experience.

9. When you want to reinforce Total Rewards

Why it matters: Helps employees see the full value of what the company provides beyond benefits.
Subject line: Your Total Rewards really add up
Message:
Now that Open Enrollment is complete, it’s a good time to step back and see how your benefits fit into your broader Total Rewards. Your benefits are part of your Total Rewards package, which also includes programs that support your growth, well-being and future. 

From paid time off and retirement contributions to wellness and learning programs, we’re committed to supporting your overall well-being. Take a minute to explore your full Total Rewards package [insert link or portal]. 

10. When you’re wrapping up with leaders and partners 

Why it matters: A thoughtful recap builds trust, highlights impact and helps improve next year’s process.
Subject line: Open Enrollment 2025: Highlights and takeaways
Message:
Thanks to everyone who helped make Open Enrollment a success. Before we shift focus to year-round communications, here’s a quick look at what we accomplished together — and what we learned along the way. 

Possible highlights to include: 

  • Participation rate:  Available stats such as percentage of employees who confirmed elections on time compared to last year. 
  • Key communication wins: High engagement with FAQs or videos, strong turnout for webinars or clear feedback that messages were easy to understand. 
  • Employee sentiment: Survey or anecdotal feedback measuring confidence or clarity. 
  • Operational improvements: New process enhancements, fewer help-desk tickets, smoother confirmation process. 
  • Next focus area: Examples: increase understanding of health savings accounts, boost preventive care engagement, simplify next year’s process. 

Closing line example:
Appreciate everyone’s partnership and ideas. We’re looking forward to building on this year’s success. 

Keep the Conversation Going
Communications don’t end with enrollment. They deepen into a year-round conversation that helps employees stay informed and feel valued.

If your team could use help keeping that conversation fresh, we’d love to talk.

Open Enrollment may be over, but the communications shouldn’t stop there. Employees have just made some of their biggest financial and personal decisions of the year — often while juggling 10 other things. A well-timed follow-up helps them feel confident, informed and cared for. 

Here are 10 practical messages you can send for a variety of situations — each with a suggested subject line, rationale and sample message.

1. When you’re sending a post-enrollment survey

Why it matters: Asking for feedback signals that employee opinions shape what comes next.
Subject line: How did Open Enrollment go? We want to know.
Message:
Thanks for taking the time to make your benefit choices. We’d love your quick feedback on what worked well and how we can improve next year. Your input helps us make Open Enrollment simpler and more useful for everyone. 

2. When premiums increased this year

Why it matters: Transparency builds credibility and shows empathy.
Subject line: How we’re managing benefit costs
Message:
We know this year brought some changes in premium rates. Our goal is to keep your coverage strong and costs manageable.  

Here’s what we’re doing now to keep your benefits strong and affordable in the future. 

3. When your company emphasizes personal choice

Why it matters: Employees feel more confident and satisfied when they’re reminded they made thoughtful decisions — and have tools to get the most from them.
Subject line: Your benefits, your way
Message:
Thanks for taking the time to make the benefit choices that are right for you. Whether you prioritized cost, coverage, flexibility or some combination, your benefits are designed to fit your life. 

Explore the resources that can help you make the most of your selections [insert relevant links]. 

4. When you introduced a new benefit

Why it matters: Keeps momentum going and encourages early adoption.
Subject line: Your new [benefit name] starts soon — here’s what to expect
Message:
We’re continuing to evolve our benefits to better support you. Starting January 1, you’ll have access to [new benefit]. Here’s why we added it, how it works and where to go if you have questions.  

5. When you want to help employees confirm their choices

Why it matters: A quick confirmation builds confidence and prevents confusion later.
Subject line: Your 2025 benefits are confirmed — here’s what to do next
Message:
Open Enrollment is complete, and your benefit elections for 2025 are confirmed. Take a moment to review your confirmation statement to be sure everything looks right. 

If you didn’t make changes this year, your previous elections carry over automatically. If you notice anything unexpected or have questions, we’re here to help at [contact info].

6. When you just want to say thank you

Why it matters: Gratitude builds goodwill and trust.
Subject line: Thank you for making your 2025 benefit choices
Message:
Thanks for taking the time to complete your benefits enrollment. We hope you feel confident in your choices and ready for the year ahead.  

You’re an important part of what makes our workplace great. Let us know if you have questions.  

 7. When you’re planning to communicate year-round

Why it matters: Keeps benefits top-of-mind and positions HR as a year-round resource.
Subject line: We’re here for you all year long
Message:
Open Enrollment may be over, but our support doesn’t stop there. We’ll be sharing quick tips and resources throughout the year to help you get the most from your benefits — starting with January’s focus on preventive care. 

8. When you want to collect employee stories

Why it matters: Real stories make benefits feel personal and valuable, and inviting employees to share their experiences just might turn up some storytelling gems.
Subject line: How have your benefits made life a little easier?
Message:
We’re collecting brief stories from employees about how they’ve used their benefits — whether it’s finding a great doctor, saving through an HSA or getting support when life got complicated. 

Your story could help others discover new ways to make the most of their benefits. We’ll share selected stories in a way that ensures individuals cannot be identified, and names will not be used. 

If you’d like to contribute, email [contact info] or reply to this message with a few sentences about your experience.

9. When you want to reinforce Total Rewards

Why it matters: Helps employees see the full value of what the company provides beyond benefits.
Subject line: Your Total Rewards really add up
Message:
Now that Open Enrollment is complete, it’s a good time to step back and see how your benefits fit into your broader Total Rewards. Your benefits are part of your Total Rewards package, which also includes programs that support your growth, well-being and future. 

From paid time off and retirement contributions to wellness and learning programs, we’re committed to supporting your overall well-being. Take a minute to explore your full Total Rewards package [insert link or portal]. 

10. When you’re wrapping up with leaders and partners 

Why it matters: A thoughtful recap builds trust, highlights impact and helps improve next year’s process.
Subject line: Open Enrollment 2025: Highlights and takeaways
Message:
Thanks to everyone who helped make Open Enrollment a success. Before we shift focus to year-round communications, here’s a quick look at what we accomplished together — and what we learned along the way. 

Possible highlights to include: 

  • Participation rate:  Available stats such as percentage of employees who confirmed elections on time compared to last year. 
  • Key communication wins: High engagement with FAQs or videos, strong turnout for webinars or clear feedback that messages were easy to understand. 
  • Employee sentiment: Survey or anecdotal feedback measuring confidence or clarity. 
  • Operational improvements: New process enhancements, fewer help-desk tickets, smoother confirmation process. 
  • Next focus area: Examples: increase understanding of health savings accounts, boost preventive care engagement, simplify next year’s process. 

Closing line example:
Appreciate everyone’s partnership and ideas. We’re looking forward to building on this year’s success. 

Keep the Conversation Going
Communications don’t end with enrollment. They deepen into a year-round conversation that helps employees stay informed and feel valued.

If your team could use help keeping that conversation fresh, we’d love to talk.

SUBSCRIBE TO

Three fresh ideas (and a meme)

Love what you just read? There’s more! Sign up for our monthly newsletter for even more thought-provoking ideas (and reasons to LOL).

WE’D
LOVE
TO HEAR

FROM
YOU

WE’D
LOVE
TO HEAR

FROM
YOU