The new year is almost here! Here are a few 2026 changes to look out for, along with fast-approaching deadlines to help you prepare for tax time.

New benefits and costs

Any changes you made to your benefits during Open Enrollment will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2026. If you’re a member of CORE or UC Health Savings Plan and did not choose another plan during Open Enrollment, you and your currently enrolled family members will automatically be enrolled in HealthSavings+ if you’re eligible.

Beginning next year, UC is balancing premiums across similar health plans, so you may see a change in your medical plan premiums even if you didn’t make a change. Your costs may vary depending on your location or employee group — visit ALEX, UC’s virtual benefits counselor, for the 2026 medical plan premiums that apply to you.

Save more for retirement

UC’s voluntary Retirement Savings Program offers a convenient, tax-advantaged way to save for retirement, and the IRS increased contribution limits for 2026. Your contribution amounts (% or $) from 2025 automatically carry over into 2026 unless you make a change to your deferral elections. Log in to your NetBenefits account to make sure they’re where you’d like them to be.

Learn more on the My UC Retirement website, and call 1-800-558-9182 or schedule a meeting online to get free 1:1 help from a UC-dedicated Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultant.

January dates and deadlines

January 2, 2026: Monthly pay date: Due to the New Year holiday, UCPath will issue monthly paychecks and schedule direct deposits to post on January 2, 2026, for monthly employees.

January 2, 2026: Deadline to opt in to receive electronic W-2 statements and 1095-C forms

• W-2 Statement: Log in to UCPath online, then select > Income and Taxes > Enroll to receive online W-2
• 1095-C Form: Log in to UCPath online, then select > Income and Taxes > Online 1095-C Consent

January 9, 2026: Deadline to update or verify tax information

UCPath will begin creating W-2 statements in mid-January. To ensure your information is accurate and reaches you:

• Verify your personal email and home address in UCPath online
• Even if you opt for a digital W-2 statement, keeping your contact information up to date is essential. Learn more about how to update your personal information.

Other important reminders

• Verify your dependents. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires UC to make reasonable efforts to obtain Social Security numbers for employees, their spouses/domestic partners and dependents. To review or update your information, log in to UCPath online, then select Employee Actions > Health and Welfare > Dependent Coverage
• International workers: Verify your GLACIER account information. International employees may receive a W-2 statement and/or 1042-S (Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding). To ensure your tax information is sent correctly, verify that your personal email and home addresses match exactly in UCPath online and the GLACIER tax database. You may also opt to have an electronic 1042-S through GLACIER. Learn more about Form 1042-S.

Important security reminder

UC does not send 1095-C or W-2 statements by email or text. If you receive an email or text with a link or an attachment for viewing these statements, it is a phishing scam designed to gain private information. Do not open attachments or click email links that claim to provide access to your 1095-C or W-2 statement. To access your electronic tax documents, always visit UCPath online using a safe, known link.

Have questions or need help?

Log in to UCPath and select Ask UCPath to submit an inquiry. You may also call UCPath to speak with an associate at (855) 982‐7284 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PT) Monday – Friday.

¿Tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda?

Inicie una sesión en UCPath y seleccione “Ask UCPath” para enviar su pregunta. También puede llamar a UCPath al (855) 982-7284 de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. (PT) de lunes a viernes para hablar con un representante. Oprima el 4 en el menú principal para recibir ayuda en español.

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