Category: Articles

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Articles

3 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date October 23, 2025

3 MIN WATCH

NOVEMBER 2025

Video: 2026 Annual Enrollment instructions
November 1–25, 2025

Annual Enrollment takes place November 1–25. It’s your time to review and choose the coverage that fits your needs, whether you’re a longtime employee or you just became eligible for benefits. Watch this short video for everything you need to know about the 2026 Annual Enrollment process.

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Show transcript

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Narrator: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed. Now that Annual Enrollment is here, we want to make sure you understand the benefits available to you and your family and why this time is so important. Here’s everything you need to know about Annual Enrollment.

Annual Enrollment is the time of year that benefit eligible employees have the opportunity to make changes to their benefit elections for the upcoming calendar year. You can add or drop coverage for yourself or family members, change your existing plans, and explore the benefits available to you and your family in the coming year. By now, you should have received a kit in the mail that includes everything you need to enroll in Costco benefits. This includes things like the benefit plan changes booklet and information about how to log on to costcobenefits.com and start the Annual Enrollment process.

If you have not received a kit yet, that’s totally fine. All of the information in the kit can be found on costcobenefits.com, where you can also sign up for text reminders about Annual Enrollment so you don’t miss a step of the process. We’ve done our best to make the Annual Enrollment process easy. Beginning in November, you can click on the Annual Enrollment banner or the enrollment website tile on costcobenefits.com to start the process.

Once you’ve selected your benefits and your submitted documentation has been approved for any new dependents, your benefits will go into effect on January 1. If your spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in your benefits, you will need to complete the dependent verification process each year to continue their coverage, even if you don’t make any changes. If you don’t, their coverage will end on December 31 of this year. If you have dependent children enrolled in your benefits, you’ll need to review and remove any dependent children who are no longer eligible.

Coverage will continue automatically for eligible enrolled children. If you add any family members to your plan, you must submit required documentation by November 30. When you begin the annual enrollment process, the platform will automatically remind you to verify your spouse or domestic partner. Annual enrollment is also a great time to ensure that your beneficiaries are up-to-date for your life and AD&D insurance and retirement plans.

Designating your beneficiaries for these plans is critical so you can ensure that the right people receive this benefit when the time comes. You can update your beneficiaries for life and AD&D insurance online while you go through the annual enrollment process. To update beneficiaries for your retirement plans, just visit RPS.TRowePrice.com.

As a reminder, if you want to participate in the HCRA or DCAP, you must enroll during annual enrollment even if you are already enrolled for the current plan year. All your other benefit elections will continue into the following year if you don’t make any changes.

And that’s the basics. Annual Enrollment begins and ends in November, so be sure to enroll early. If you have any questions or need more information, just visit costcobenefits.com or call the Enrollment Center at 800-541-6205. Thanks for watching. And remember, we’re in this together.

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Make sure you don’t miss any of these key actions

Complete Dependent Verification for your spouse or domestic partner. Otherwise, their coverage will end on December 31, 2025.
Review your current benefits elections to see if you need to make any changes.
• Watch the 2026 Benefits Changes video so you can make informed decisions about your benefits.
Add or remove dependents who are no longer eligible. Eligible children will stay covered. If you add any family members, you must submit required documentation by November 30 to receive approval for their coverage to be active on January 1, 2026.
Enroll or re-enroll in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) to help you save on care. Elections don’t carry over year to year.
Review your beneficiaries. Be sure to add or update any beneficiaries as needed.
• For Life/AD&D insurance: Enrollment website
• For the retirement plan: RPS.TRowePrice.com

Tags Annual Enrollment, article, Beneficiaries, Benefits, coverage, DCAP, Dependent care assist plan, HCRA, Health care, November-2025, reimbursement account, Video, z-no-icon

Articles

2 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date October 1, 2025

2 MIN READ

OCTOBER 2025

Use your 2025 benefits before they expire

Don’t miss out on your no-cost preventive care — there’s still time to get it before year-end. It’s 100% covered by your medical plan when you see in-network providers. Plus, you can earn a credit toward your medical deductible and coinsurance, after getting your first dental cleaning of the year. So it’s good for your health — and your wallet. And don’t forget to spend any funds left in your Health Care Reimbursement Account. Only $660 can be rolled over from 2025 to spend in 2026. You can use them on dental and vision expenses.

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Earn $50

Regular dental exams and cleanings don’t just protect your mouth and teeth. They can also help you save money down the line by catching issues early. Treating gum disease early may even prevent heart disease.¹

Your first dental cleaning puts money back in your pocket. Every person enrolled in your plan (including you) can earn $50 toward your shared deductible and coinsurance after their first dental cleaning of the year. So, if you’re a family of 4, that adds up to $200.

An eye exam is like seeing into the future. It checks for conditions such as dry eye, cataracts and glaucoma. It can also catch the early signs of serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and more — so you can get treated now.

Need help finding a primary care provider (PCP)?

A PCP gets to know you and your medical history, and they can tailor care or treatment plans to your needs. Plus, having a PCP may reduce your risk of an ER visit by 19%.

Browse your plan’s provider network to find an in-network PCP who’s right for you. Or head to Costcobenefits.com > Health & Wellness > I Want To > Find a Doctor to get started. You may see a few different options for a PCP, like a family or general practitioner, pediatrician (doctor for kids) or an internist (doctor of internal medicine). On the mainland, you can also choose an Ob/Gyn (doctor for women).

Source(s): ¹Cureus. The relationship between periodontitis, gingivitis, smoking, missing teeth, endodontic infections, aortic aneurysm, and coronary artery disease: The 10-year results of 25 patients.

Tags annual-physical, article, dental-cleaning, dental-cleanings, menopause, october-2025, pcp, Preventive care, primary-care-provider, z-no-icon

Articles

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date September 26, 2025

1 MIN READ

OCTOBER 2025

Less scrolling, more living

Have you ever heard the term “doomscrolling”? It’s when someone spends lots of time taking in info on a screen. While originally referring to negative news articles, it also applies to social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or Reddit. Anyone can fall into the trap of spending too much time on their phone.

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It’s okay to be bored

Ever had a great idea come to you in the shower? They’re always there; they just need the chance to surface. Aside from the mental health benefits, less scrolling allows you to be bored. And being bored is like pressing reset on your brain1 — it gives you the space to be more creative.

Unplugging doesn’t mean you have to stare at a wall. Here are some ways to fill your time while giving your brain a break:

Catch up on sleep.  Do you ever scroll in bed for hours until you realize it’s already 1:30 am? Using a phone before bed can make it harder to fall asleep.2
Try something new — or finish what you started. Is there a sport or new workout routine you’d like to try? Are you hoping to finally wrap up an old project? Spending less time on social media gives you more time for other things.
Follow up with someone. When’s the last time you spoke to the person whose post you just liked? Social media can make it seem like we’re more connected than we are. But it’s not a full picture of who they are or how they’re doing — most people usually only post the highlights. Instead, check in with a family member, friend, coworker who recently moved to a new building or neighbor.

Below are benefits and resources that can help with addiction to social media. And they might be able to help you find other things to do instead.

Sources:
¹Mayo Clinic. Boost your brain with boredom.
²Sutter Health. Screens and your sleep. Put down your phone before bed to improve sleep.

Tags boredom, doomscroll, screentime, social-media, unplug, z-no-icon

Articles

4 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date September 25, 2025

4 MIN WATCH

OCTOBER 2025

Video: When we come together, we make a difference

Giving back doesn’t only do good — it feels good, too. One way Costco employees help is by taking part in the Workplace Giving Campaign. Together, employees have raised over $468 million for more than 50,000 charities of their choice. Whether you’ve ever given $1 or $1,000, you’ve made a difference.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Show transcript

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Narrator: The Workplace Giving Campaign makes the world a better place. It’s Costco-sizing my donation. It creates hope. It is a way to show compassion and empathy for others. It’s about doing my part. It helps my donation go that much farther. It changes people’s lives. Workplace giving, it gets us involved. It means impact. It’s about bringing light back into our communities.

The Workplace Giving Campaign helps me stay connected to my community. It gives me a sense of purpose. It’s personal. It’s personal to me. Charitable Giving is doing the right thing. We have an obligation to help wherever we can. This is a 40th year of giving. It’s always going to be a very fond memory for all of us because that’s when we first became profitable and when we first felt that we could make a change in the communities.

We partnered with United Way because United Way was our avenue into the communities. They were connected to non-profit organizations. And that connection allowed us to make a difference in the communities where we live and work.

Giving can help end homelessness. It allows us to support local schools. Giving creates a better society for everyone. Giving can knock out hunger. It’s about helping animals that need a second chance. It’s about generosity. Giving can help support families. Giving can help support early childhood education.

Why not take a look at organizations that our employees are involved? And that evolution has led us to workplace giving.

You think about our core values: taking care of our members and taking care of our employees. And you were able to do that through charitable giving and the organizations that our employees find important to them.

Our officers played a big role in the kickoff of the campaigns. We used to have competitions.
Here’s the photo of the dunk tank, and I’m soaking wet. I look really charming there.

It’s gotta be fun. You gotta spark an interest. If you’re gonna work that hard, you better have some fun.

It makes me very proud to report that in the past 40 years, our employees have donated over $468 million to over 50,000 charities of their choice.

We’ve been very fortunate as a company and if we’re going be profiting from doing business in that community, we have an obligation to give back to the community.

Giving is the culture that we embody and it’s who we are as a company.

Everyone has a responsibility to lift someone else up, and that’s what we do as a company. We lift people up.

It’s just the right thing to do. We are 40 years young and still going strong. Looking forward to year 41. It’s been 40 years of changing people’s lives. 40 years. I felt blessed to be part of this.

40 years we’re just getting started.

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Ways to give back without spending money

Most people face money struggles at one point or another. And the upcoming holiday season can be especially tough between shopping for gifts, booking trips home or even hosting your own celebration. The Ramsey Show found that 78% of Americans have a hard time saving money. But if giving back to those in need is important to you, money isn’t the only way to do it. Here are other ways to give back to your community or causes:

Spend your time. You know what they say: Time is money. Volunteer for a few hours at a soup kitchen or cleaning up a park.
Be a safe space. If you’re able, animal shelters are always looking for fosters, especially after natural disasters like hurricanes and forest fires.
Dig through your closet for hidden treasures. Many organizations accept gently used clothing, toys and unexpired pantry items.

If you’re trying to improve your own finances, try SmartDollar^®. It’s free to all Costco employees. Explore self-guided options such as videos or work one-on-one with a financial coach. Every action you take today — whether it’s putting $5 into a savings account or spending 3 hours helping a charity — can lead to a better tomorrow.

Tags charities, donate, donations, giving-back, volunteer, z-no-icon

Articles

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date September 24, 2025

1 MIN READ

OCTOBER 2025

5 tips on how to say “no”

Have you ever done something for a friend — mostly because you didn’t want to let them down? Or said yes to a partner when you really wanted to say no? It’s not always easy to set boundaries. Especially if you’re someone who’s used to helping others or putting their needs first. But what if we told you that healthy boundaries help you be a better friend or partner?

Looking for more? Find other articles below

“No” can be hard to say — and hard to hear

Cultural norms, generational differences and family dynamics often teach us that saying no is selfish or disrespectful. When your life or work centers around service to others, it may be even more challenging to set boundaries without guilt. And if you struggle with low self-esteem, you might feel like you don’t deserve to say no. But each no is a yes to your priorities and well-being.

Learn how to set healthy boundaries with the support of Resources for Living, your employee assistance program. Get free, confidential mental health support through RFL. In your counseling sessions with a mental health provider, you can learn tools to build confidence and navigate conflict.

Here are 5 self-reminders to help you stick to your boundaries:

It’s okay for me to want or need something.
Standing up for myself doesn’t make me a bad person.
My feelings aren’t less valid than theirs.
If they get mad, that doesn’t mean I should’ve said yes.
It’s okay for them to say no, too.

Tags boundaries, conflict, friendship, Relationships, z-no-icon

Articles

2 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 28, 2025

2 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

5 ways to stress less

We all feel stressed at times. It can be caused by a health concern, money struggles or a disagreement with your partner. Even the constant buzz of the warehouse can be overwhelming. Managing stress isn’t easy, but you have tools and resources to help you build healthy coping skills.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Figure out your triggers — Journaling and mindfulness can help you spot patterns in your thoughts and identify triggers. When you start feeling a strong emotion, take a second to jot down some notes. Mention what was happening at that moment and how it made you feel.
Talk it out — Your benefits include different options if you need to talk to someone. You have in-person, virtual and immediate options:
- Find a virtual or in-person therapist with help from Resources for Living^® (RFL^®).
- Get support from people going through similar things with Supportiv.
- Or call or text 988 24/7 for immediate support for you or someone else.
Strengthen your safety net — Finances are one of the most common causes of stress. RFL can also point you to tools and financial coaching to help you manage money more effectively.
Nurture your network — Focus on building healthy relationships. That way, you can be there for each other during stressful stretches.
Sweat the small stuff — Exercise is great for your physical and mental health. It reduces stress, which can also help lower blood pressure. Strengthen your head and your heart with help from Omada for Diabetes, Hypertension and Prevention & Weight Health.
- Tip: Lighten the load on your wallet with LifeMart. LifeMart offers discounts for both in-person and virtual gym memberships.

Remember, no problem is too small to ask for help. Browse through your Benefits Guide for even more resources that support stress management.

Tags cold-and-flu-prevention, injury-prevention, injury-recovery, preventive-care, seasonal-flu, z-no-icon

Articles

3 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 25, 2025

3 MIN WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2025

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?

Have you ever felt short of breath or your heart race? Both can be scary. You may have wondered if it was a heart attack or a panic attack. It can be hard to tell the difference. In this video, we’ll help you understand what’s happening and what to do.

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Show transcript

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Narrator: Have you ever had moments where your heart is pounding, you can’t catch your breath, you’re nauseous, maybe even light-headed, you’re scared, and you wonder, am I having a heart attack or a panic attack?

What’s the difference? It can be hard to tell, because the symptoms are very similar, and while a panic attack might make you feel like you’re having a heart attack, an actual heart attack is a medical emergency that needs immediate intervention.

So let’s take a close look at the differences, starting with how they feel.

Between the two, the chest pain feels very different.

During a panic attack, the chest pain is usually sharp or stabbing and localized in the middle of the chest. Panic attacks come on quickly, and generally reach peak intensity in about 10 minutes. Symptoms include dizziness, trembling, sweating and a sense of losing control. But the hallmark is usually intense fear.

During a heart attack, the chest pain can be sudden and intense, or start slowly, with a mild pain or pressure that radiates to the arm, jaw or back, and gradually worsens. These episodes might come and go several times before the actual heart attack occurs.

A panic attack triggers what’s known as the fight or flight response, which is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat. When that happens, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, causing a cascade of physiological changes, including a temporary rise in blood pressure.

A heart attack happens when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off, usually by a blockage of the coronary arteries.

Calling 911 and getting immediate treatment is critical.

Without prompt treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious complications, including permanent damage to the heart muscle, or even death.

You may wonder if a panic attack can cause a heart attack. In a word, no. A panic attack will not cause a heart attack.

Heart attacks are caused by a blockage in the blood vessels to the heart, but long-term stress and anxiety may play a role in the development of coronary artery disease.

Regardless of whether you suspect a panic attack or heart attack, doctors and psychologists agree: If you are feeling chest pain or pressure, you shouldn’t take any chances.

Call 911.

It is important to seek immediate medical attention. If you have questions about panic attacks versus heart attacks, I’d love to hear from you. Comment below, hit subscribe and join me here next time for answers you can trust.

  This program is not intended to be a medical service. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you heard in this program. If you have a medical emergency, go to the emergency room of your local hospital or call 911 immediately.

 [♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Source(s):
American Heart Association. Heart attack vs. panic attack: Know the difference.

Tags anxiety, chest-pain, heart-health, mental-health, shortness-of-breath, Stress, z-no-icon

Articles

2 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 25, 2025

2 MIN WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2025

Video: Suicidal doesn’t always look suicidal

Depression isn’t always obvious. While it can make people feel sad and hopeless, it may not show on the outside. This video from the Campaign Against Living Miserably shows us that, sometimes, the people who need the most help don’t act the way we’d expect.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Show transcript

Real talk from real people who contemplated suicide

Depression and thoughts of suicide are like tunnel vision — they can make any light or hope seem small and impossibly far away. Supportiv collected stories from people who changed their minds about suicide. Even Olympian Michael Phelps has admitted to wanting to die by suicide.

“I remember going to treatment my very first day. I was shaking, shaking because I was nervous. I said to myself so many times, ‘Why didn’t I do this 10 years ago?’ But, I wasn’t ready. I am extremely thankful that I did not take my life.” — Michael Phelps

All these stories have one thing in common: They’re so glad that they’re still here. See below for some examples from the article.

There’s always hope — and help

Remind someone that you’re a safe person to turn to or get help if you need it. There are free, anonymous, in-the-moment support options such as Resources for Living^®. Call 833-721-2320 for help for you and your family if needed.

If you’re thinking about suicide or think someone might be at risk, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Hotline for immediate support, 24/7.

Looking for people who understand what you’re going through? Supportiv offers anonymous peer-to-peer group chats. All conversations are moderated and connect you with people who understand what you’re going through.

And don’t forget — you’re not alone. There are resources and people who can help.

Tags crisis-support, depression, mental-health, suicidal-thoughts, z-no-icon

Articles

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 20, 2025

1 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

Protect yourself with free flushots and virtual physical therapy

Staying healthy has never been more convenient. Last year, ER visits related to the flu more than doubled among Costco employees. Protect yourself and others by getting your flu shot.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Stop by your Costco pharmacy for a free flu shot

They’re available to all Costco employees. Walkups welcome — no appointment needed!

Help out your friends in the pharmacy department by getting your flu shot before the flu-season rush. Employees and family members enrolled in a Costco medical plan can also get their flu shot for free. Remind them to make an appointment with their provider or at a Costco pharmacy.

Make sure you’re moving safely as well

Omada for Joint & Muscle Health offers virtual one-on-one physical therapy with a licensed physical therapist to help you bounce back from an injury, build strength and flexibility, or stay pain-free during everyday activities.

Tags cold-and-flu-prevention, injury-prevention, injury-recovery, preventive-care, seasonal-flu, z-no-icon

Articles

3 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date July 28, 2025

3 MIN READ

AUGUST 2025

Do’s and don’ts of making friends

Friends are a big part of feeling happy and supported in life for both kids and adults. For kids especially, having friends can improve their quality of life and how well they do at school. Friendships can also help them adjust to changes more easily.¹Talk with your kids about how to be a good friend — and how to recognize who is a good friend.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

A good friend:²

Listens: They care about what you have to say or want to do.
Supports: They’re there for you when you’re sad or having a hard time.
Respects: They treat you kindly and don’t try to hurt your feelings.
Shares interests: You have fun together and like the same things.

Here are signs someone isn’t a good friend:

It feels one-sided: They don’t think about what you like to do or how you feel.
They make you feel bad: If they put you down or treat you differently around certain people, it’s a red flag.
They’re mean or bossy: A good friend won’t be unkind or controlling.

How to set boundaries:

Boundaries help protect what you are and aren’t comfortable with. Here are some tips:

Say no: It’s okay to say no to things that make you uncomfortable.
Speak up: If someone hurts your feelings, tell them.
Choose your friends wisely: Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself.

Tips for parents:

Talk openly: Have regular conversations about friendships and feelings.
Model good behavior: Show how to be a good friend by being one yourself.
Encourage self-reflection: Help your child be aware of what they like and don’t like in a friend.

Are you or your kids having a hard time?

Some phases of life aren’t easy for us or our kids. It could be an adjustment to a new job or school year. Or maybe navigating tough dynamics with a co-worker or friend. Lean into your benefits for help to get through it. See below for resources that support making friends and healthy relationships.

¹Exchange Family Center. The benefits of early childhood friendships and 3 tips for helping your child establish meaningful friendships.
²Cleveland Clinic. Social skills 101: How to help your child make friends.

Tags companion, connection, frienship, making-friends, Relationships, social-skills, z-no-icon

3 MIN WATCH

Video: 2026 Annual Enrollment instructionsNovember 1–25, 2025

Make sure you don’t miss any of these key actions

2 MIN READ

Use your 2025 benefits before they expire

Earn $50

Need help finding a primary care provider (PCP)?

1 MIN READ

Less scrolling, more living

It’s okay to be bored

4 MIN WATCH

Video: When we come together, we make a difference

Ways to give back without spending money

1 MIN READ

5 tips on how to say “no”

“No” can be hard to say — and hard to hear

2 MIN READ

5 ways to stress less

3 MIN WATCH

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?

2 MIN WATCH

Video: Suicidal doesn’t always look suicidal

Real talk from real people who contemplated suicide

There’s always hope — and help

1 MIN READ

Protect yourself with free flushots and virtual physical therapy

Stop by your Costco pharmacy for a free flu shot

Make sure you’re moving safely as well

3 MIN READ

Do’s and don’ts of making friends

A good friend:2

Here are signs someone isn’t a good friend:

How to set boundaries:

Tips for parents:

Are you or your kids having a hard time?

Video: 2026 Annual Enrollment instructions
November 1–25, 2025

A good friend:²