We're making very few changes to the benefits options for 2012.

As a reminder, the EPO plans will not be offered in 2012.

Because the EPO plans have the same in-network provider access as other plans, and the cost of the EPO plans have increased over the years, they will no longer be offered.

If you are currently enrolled in an EPO (UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Choice or Cigna Open Access plan), carefully consider the options available to you and pick the plan that best suits your needs.

• If you do not enroll in a new plan during 2012 Benefits Enrollment, you will default to your current carrier's PPO plan: UHC Choice Plus or Cigna Open Access Plus. Your per-pay-period contributions will be higher under these PPO plans; how much higher depends on your level of coverage.

Contributions will increase slightly for our largest plans.

For the past two years, your paycheck costs for enrolling in the Health Plus Savings Plans (HPSP),PPO plans (Cigna Open Access Plus or UHC ChoicePlus), and Out-of-Area plans have stayed flat.

For 2012, while Cisco continues to offer medical benefits above the market median of our peer group, you'll see a slight increase in per-pay-period contributions in all plans except the Harvard Pilgrim HMO.

• If you're in the Health Plus Savings Plan (HPSP), PPO plans (UHC Choice Plus or Cigna Open Access Plus), or Out-of-Area plan, there will be a slight increase for 2012 ranging from just under $1 per paycheck for employee-only coverage to between $4 and $6 per paycheck for family coverage.

If you're in an HMO, your paycheck contributions will increase in keeping with the upward medical trend for this type of plan. Employees in the HMO plans will see annual increases ranging from under $1 to $16 per paycheck depending on the plan and level of coverage.

Child-dependent life insurance will be available until age 26.

Starting in 2012, you can buy supplemental life insurance coverage for your children until their 26th birthday. (Coverage may be subject to evidence of insurability.)