Health Update: Health Update: February wellness benefits for University employees – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Feb. 20, 2026
From heart health and stress management to benefits updates and reminders, Princeton’s benefits team highlights ongoing resources to help you and your family thrive. Read more.
What you need to know this month
February is American Heart Month
This month, take time to focus on healthy habits, stress management and important health metrics like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Understanding your numbers can help prevent or significantly lower your risk of heart disease, heart attacks or strokes. Key metrics to keep in mind include:
- Blood pressure: Less than 120/80
- Cholesterol: LDL (or bad cholesterol): Less than 100 | HDL (or good cholesterol): Above 40 for men; Above 50 for women
- Triglycerides: Less than 150
- Blood sugar: HbA1c less than 5.7 (5.7 to 6.4 is prediabetes and 6.5 or higher is diabetes)
- Waist circumference: Less than 40 inches for men, less than 35 for women
To support heart health, experts recommend:
- Regular physical exercise (at least 150 minutes per week)
- A heart-healthy diet
- Stress reduction
- Quitting tobacco
- Adequate rest
Did you know? Princeton offers health coaches who can work with you to reduce your risk for heart disease at your own pace. The My Health Coach program is free, confidential and available to you and your eligible dependents. To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a health coach, call (866) 237-0973.
MetLife Legal Services plan: TurboTax benefit
Princeton employees currently enrolled in the MetLife Legal Plan can use TurboTax to prepare and file one federal and one state return using any TurboTax Do-It-Yourself product at no additional cost (this includes both individual and joint filings). TurboTax Expert products and add-on services are available for an additional fee.
To access this benefit:
- Log in to your MetLife Legal plan account or create one at members.legalplans.com.
- Next, click on “debt matters,” then “tax preparation and filing.”
This benefit covers do-it-yourself tax preparation and cannot be applied to previously completed TurboTax filings. For questions or support, contact MetLife at (800) 821-6400.
Flexible spending accounts deadline: action required
The deadline to submit 2025 claims to Inspira Financial is March 31, 2026. Unused Healthcare funds between $50 and $660 will automatically roll over from 2025 to 2026. Unused Dependent Care funds are forfeited.
AbleTo discontinued
Princeton was recently notified that AbleTo, a virtual therapy and emotional support program offered to Aetna and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) members, was discontinued Jan. 1. Members may contact Aetna or UHC Member Services at the phone number listed on the back of their ID card for assistance finding in-network mental health providers. Virtual mental health services are also available through Teladoc.
Additionally, benefits-eligible employees and their eligible dependents can access mental health support through Princeton’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP);visit AllOne Health for assistance. For chronic condition support (i.e., high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes), My Health Coach offers free coaching to help individuals reach their personal health goals.
AllOne Health
On Jan. 1, Princeton’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Carebridge, became AllOne Health. Despite the name change, all benefits and services remain the same, including:
- Eight free, confidential counseling sessions per issue, per person, in-person or virtually, for concerns including anxiety, depression, substance use and grief.
- 24/7 support and confidential mental health consultations.
- Referrals for child and elder care, financial counseling, legal matters and pet services.
- On-site counseling at the Employee Wellness Center at 350 Alexander St.
To take advantage of this benefit, call (800) 451-1834 or visit allonehealth.com/portal (use member portal app code: TW8AE). Additional details can be found on the Human Resources website.
Financial wellness events and resources
Roth, an after-tax contribution option
TIAA recorded webinar
After-tax Roth contributions offer another way to save for retirement. Learn more about this contribution option and get your questions answered.
2026 annual IRS contribution limits for the 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
The annual 403(b) contribution limits for 2026 have changed and vary by age. The limits are:
- Under age 50: $24,500
- Age 50 or older in 2026: $32,500 (includes an $8,000 optional “catch-up” contribution)
- Turning age 60-63 in 2026: $35,750 (includes an $11,250 optional “catch-up” contribution)
- Age 64 or older: $32,500 (includes an $8,000 optional “catch-up” contribution)
Note: Employees turning age 64 in 2026 are not eligible for the increased limit.
Employees can view and update retirement plan contributions at any time.
Changes to Retirement Savings Plan age-based catch-up contributions
In accordance with the Secure Act 2.0, starting Jan. 1, 2026, participants who are 50 and older and whose prior-year FICA wages exceed $145,000 must make their age-based catch-up contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan on a Roth (post-tax) basis. Your contributions will automatically be shifted to Roth contributions once you reach your pre-tax contribution limit. Impacted participants will receive a future communication with more information.
Managing your retirement savings
You can now start, stop, increase or decrease your contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan in any of the following ways:
Automatically increase your contributions
You can also set self-directed automatic increases to help build your savings faster. Log in to your account at TIAA.org/princeton, select “manage contributions” under the “accounts” menu, and follow the prompts.
Guided financial planning
Reducing financial stress can improve mental and emotional health. The University provides free, confidential resources from TIAA, CAPTRUST and Isles to help you manage your financial and retirement goals.
- TIAA offers individual retirement planning advice, virtually or in person. To schedule a session, call (800) 842-2252 or make an appointment online. For a Spanish-speaking adviser, call (800) 414-5180.
- CAPTRUST, an independent investment advisory firm, provides confidential investment advice to retirement plan participants. For information, articles, videos and other valuable resources, visit their website. To speak to a counselor about the University’s retirement plan or other financial issues, call (800) 967-9948.
- Isles is dedicated to helping people manage everyday money issues such as budgeting, saving and debt reduction. Contact Isles at (609) 341-4714. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.
Wellness consultations
The Employee Wellness Center at 350 Alexander St. is open for in-person consultations with health and financial advisers. Schedule a free, confidential appointment with one of the following resources:
For comprehensive information about employee benefits, check out the February 2026 Thrive Every Day newsletter.