2026 Benefits Enrollment coming soon
Your well-being, your benefits
In the exciting era of AI where the ways we learn, grow and get things done is rapidly changing, one thing remains the same: well-being matters.
It's more than a nice-to-have—it's the foundation for how we show up, lead, and live by our Guiding Principles: Think Really Big, Play to Win, and Drive Durable Growth. To bring these principles to life, you have to feel your best and feeling your best starts with knowing you're supported.
This Benefits Enrollment, discover the new ways Cisco supports you. Whether you're navigating family planning, caring for a loved one or looking for guidance throughout the year, we're here to help you.
What's changing for 2026
Medical and dental
It's no surprise that healthcare costs continue to rise, but Cisco has worked hard to keep our increases lower than the national average.
While Cisco will continue to cover 85% of healthcare costs for employees and their families, paycheck contributions for Cisco medical and dental plans will increase next year. Here's what's changing in 2026:
Medical
- Paycheck contributions will increase between $1-$22 per paycheck depending on your coverage level and plan.
- Some Health Plus Savings Plan (HPSP) deductibles are increasing due to IRS regulations, and out-of-pocket maximums are increasing between $100 and $600.
- If you're enrolled in the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) HPSP or PPO medical plan, your fertility coverage and support will move from UHC to our new family building partner, Carrot, in 2026. In addition, medically-necessary and elective fertility, preservation, adoption and surrogacy will now have a combined lifetime benefit maximum of $50,000. See the family building section below for more details.
- If you're enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente California HMO, the number of egg retrievals will increase from two to three covered cycles.
Dental
Paycheck contributions will increase between $0-$2 depending on coverage level across both the Comprehensive and Basic Dental plans.
Want to see a full comparison of the plans? Review the plan details in the Enrollment Guide.
Family building
Includes fertility, preservation, adoption and surrogacy
Our family building benefits will have expert care navigation and personalized support starting in 2026. In January, we're pleased to introduce Carrot, a premier family building partner, offering expanded guidance and resources for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy journeys.
With this transition comes changes to how you access services for medically-necessary and elective fertility care and preservation, adoption and surrogacy, as well as how you are reimbursed and taxed for all family building services.
- Coverage through Carrot: All family building care will now be through Carrot, which means you will be required to register and see a provider in the Carrot network.
- Lifetime maximum: There will now be a combined lifetime maximum of $50,000 for all services including medically-necessary and elective fertility, preservation, adoption and surrogacy.
- Tax changes: Reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy and non-medically necessary fertility treatment will be subject to tax.
- Storage benefits: The preservation storage limit will increase from one to three years.
- Personalized guidance: Dedicated navigation and support team for every path to parenthood, including early exploration.
HSA and FSA
In 2026, you can contribute even more to your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)—which means more tax-free savings for you!
HSA contribution limit
- Up to $4,400 (individual)
- Up to $8,750 (family)
Health Care and Limited Purpose FSA contribution limit
- Up to $3,300
- You can carry over up to $660 of your 2026 funds into 2027
- New this enrollment! The IRS sometimes increases the maximum amount you can contribute to an FSA after benefits enrollment ends. This year, we are giving you the option to automatically increase your FSA contribution if this happens. You can only elect this automatic update feature during enrollment.
Dependent Day Care FSA contribution limit
Good news! You can contribute up to $7,500 to a Dependent Day Care FSA in 2026. This is a significant increase from the current maximum of $5,000.
Life Insurance
We're reducing the number of Dependent Life Insurance coverage levels available for spouses/domestic partners and children.
If your current coverage level is going away, you'll be automatically moved to the next highest coverage level—no proof of good health required! This means you'll have more coverage with an increased cost unless you pick a different option during Benefits Enrollment.
Dependent Life Insurance
If your current coverage level will no longer be offered in 2026, you will move up to the next available coverage level unless you make an election during Benefits Enrollment.
Spouse/domestic partner coverage levels
Available in 2025 |
Available in 2026 |
|
$10,000 |
 |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
$50,000 |
|
|
$75,000 |
|
|
$100,000 |
|
|
$150,000 |
|
|
$200,000 |
|
|
$250,000 |
|
|
$300,000 |
|
|
$350,000 |
|
|
$400,000 |
|
|
$450,000 |
|
|
$500,000 |
|
|
Child coverage levels
Available in 2025 |
Available in 2026 |
|
$5,000 |
|
|
$12,500 |
|
|
$25,000 |
|
|
$37,500 |
|
|
$50,000 |
|
|
401(k)
For participants age 50 and older, IRS regulations may change how you make 401(k) catch-up contributions beginning in 2026. Here's how contributions are changing:
- If you make $145,000 or more at Cisco in the prior year, any catch-up contributions (i.e., eligible contributions you make in addition to the regular 401(k) limit) must be Roth (a type of after-tax contribution in which your earnings may be tax free at withdrawal too).
- Those age 60-63 can contribute even more beyond the standard catch-up limit. The 2026 catch-up contribution limits will be announced by the IRS later this year.
To simplify the election process in light of these changes, there will no longer be separate catch-up elections. A single 401(k) election, which can be pre-tax and/or Roth, will automatically spill over into catch-up contributions once the standard 401(k) limit is reached.
You’ll receive more information about these changes and the actions you can take in late November/early December.
Caregiving Concierge
For people and pets
Caregiving Concierge through Wellthy offers personalized support to help manage complex needs—whether that's caring for an aging parent, supporting a child with special needs or helping a loved one after a diagnosis or accident.
And starting now, you can get help with pet care needs—like finding trusted providers and services, arranging care and navigating pet insurance. Wellthy's care coordinators are here to help you care for the people (and pets) you love most.
Other updates
Critical Illness Insurance
You'll have an additional $100 health screening reimbursement benefit available at no additional cost to you. This means that you can submit a claim and request a cash payment when you or a covered family member completes eligible health screenings like annual physicals, immunizations or colonoscopies. And don't forget—you also earn a $200 reimbursement benefit for mammograms.
LifeConnections Health Center (San Jose)
We're pleased to welcome Crossover Health to the LifeConnections Health Center, powered by Cisco benefits, in San Jose. Our employees in San Francisco have been receiving care through Crossover Health @SOMA for many years, and we're pleased Crossover is now bringing its expert, convenient care to San Jose. You can schedule an appointment with Crossover Health at LifeConnections starting October 14.
As you explore your options during Benefits Enrollment, remember that expert care is right around the corner at Building Q, 3571 North First Street.
Explore your options
01
Learn more about your 2026 plan options
Review the 2026 Benefits Enrollment Guide.
02
Discover ways Cisco benefits provide personalized support year-round
Take advantage of the health and financial well-being benefits that are here to support you and your family.
Get support
Use the Medical Plan Selection Tool
Not sure which plan to choose? Check out the Medical Plan Selection Tool to help you find the best fit.
Register for a Benefits Session
Want to know how to make the most of your benefits this year? Join us for an informational session to explore what's changing in 2026. This session will be recorded—check back here for a recording afterward.
Join a Family Building Session
Join Carrot for an informational session on October 30 to explore what's changing with family building benefits (fertility, preservation, adoption and surrogacy) in 2026. This session will be recorded—check back here for a recording afterward.
Contact People Support
Have questions about your Cisco benefits? You can chat online, schedule an appointment, or open a case. You can also call 866 282 3866 or 408 526 5999, option 4, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time.