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The 2026 Choice Time open enrolment period is May 31 to June 19, 2026.
Note: this information is intended for Government of Alberta (GoA) employees.
Overview
The Choice Time open enrolment period occurs annually and offers eligible employees the opportunity to make certain changes to their MyCHOICE or 1st Choice benefit plan coverage. Changes made during the Choice Time open enrolment period will be effective the first day of the pay period that includes July 1. Benefit plan and Choice Time information is in the MyCHOICE and 1st Choice employee handbooks.
This year there are changes in coverage under the Extended Medical and Prescription Drug Plans for the MyCHOICE and 1st Choice benefit programs effective July 1, 2026. Information on these changes is available within the “Choice Time Employee Report” and in the “Overview of Benefit plan changes” document, below.
The 2026 Choice Time open enrollment period is May 31 to June 19, 2026.
During this time Government of Alberta employees can log into 1GX to view and update their benefit coverage based on the plan rules. These changes must be completed by June 19, 2026. Return to this page for updates throughout the open enrollment period. Information and reminders will also be provided to department employees through regular newsletters, on department intranets, and on paystubs prior to, during and immediately following the open enrollment period.
Be sure to review the documents below for important information on the open enrollment timeline and deadlines, upcoming premium rate and benefit plan changes, and detailed instructions on how to make and verify your benefit changes within 1GX.
- Choice Time Employee Report
Information on Choice Time including key dates and deadlines. - Choice Time Open Enrollment Reference Guide
Detailed instructions to assist with completing the open enrollment process in 1GX - Overview of Benefit plan changes
Detailed information about the changes in coverage, effective July 1, 2026 - MyCHOICE Benefits – Premium Rates for Bargaining Unit Employees (effective June 21, 2026)
- 1st Choice Benefits – Premium Rates for Management and Non-Union Employees (effective June 21, 2026)
- Information for employees who cannot access 1GX
Changes made during the 2026 Choice Time open enrollment period are effective June 21, 2026 (the first day of the pay period that includes July 1) and will be reflected on your July 3, 2026 pay cheque.
Employees are responsible to review their benefit changes after the open enrollment period has ended and report any errors to the GoA Time and Benefits Support Line no later than July 10, 2026 at 780-644-8114 or by email at [email protected].
For more benefit plan information, including premium rates for plans, see Alberta Public Service benefits programs.
How to make changes during open enrolment period
To make changes during the open enrolment period, follow these steps.
Step 1. Sign in to 1GX
If you cannot access 1GX, contact the Government of Alberta Time and Benefits Support Line.
Step 2. From your employee profile, navigate to the 'My Benefits' tab
- Click on 'Go to Benefits'.
- Navigate to the 'Open Enrolment' section.
Step 3. Review and change your benefits enrolment
If it is currently Choice Time you will be able to access a series of webpages that allow you to review and change your benefit plan coverage online.
Review the Choice Time Open Enrollment Reference Guide for more detailed instructions.
Troubleshooting
Change options
The following change options are available within the Choice Time open enrolment period.
| Benefit plan | Choice Time change options |
|---|---|
| Dental Plan |
|
| Extended Medical Benefits Plan |
|
| Prescription Drug Plan |
|
| Dependent Life Insurance |
|
Coverage changes
- You can also change the coverage class from Single to Family or Family to Single during the Choice Time Open Enrolment period.
- You can set up each benefit plan to align with your specific requirements:
- Some benefits can be single coverage while others are family coverage. For example, you could have family Dental coverage and single Extended Medical and Prescription Drugs coverage.
- Some benefits can be Core coverage while others are Enhanced coverage. For example, you could have Enhanced Prescription Drugs and Enhanced Dental and Core Extended Medical coverage.
- You can only reduce your coverage one level during Choice Time. For example, you cannot reduce your coverage from Enhanced to Opted Out. You would only be able to reduce one level from Enhanced to Core coverage.
There is a locked-in period under the Enhanced Dental Plan, which means you must pass one Choice Time before you can decrease the coverage to Core.
Changing benefits outside of Choice Time
Benefits can only be changed:
- during the Choice Time enrolment period
- within 31 days of a recognized Life Event
For details about Life Events, see the employee handbook that is relevant to you:
Beneficiary changes
Fillable PDF forms may not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. See the step-by-step guide or contact PDF form technical support.
Contact
Connect with the Government of Alberta Time and Benefits Support Line:
Phone: 780-644-8114
Toll-free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]