Your Cisco Legacy

MAXIMIZED

Hilltop Wealth Advisors specializes in helping employees of Cisco—and other companies in the Triangle—capitalize on their benefits to maximize their income.

We’re here to help you better understand the benefits you may be receiving from Cisco and leverage financial opportunities to build your portfolio, make strategic investments, save, and reduce taxes.

Learn more through a complimentary consultation with a Hilltop Advisor.

CISCO BENEFITS +

Opportunities

Learn about your possible company benefits, then tap the “+” icon to see what financial opportunity could await you.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)

  • With an HSA, you do not have to deplete the account by the end of the calendar year. Instead, you could focus on building up the balance and investing it to take advantage of long-term market performance, and use the funds for future medical expenses. You can also take an HSA distribution at any point to reimburse yourself for previous medical expenses, if those expenses were incurred after the HSA was first opened.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

  • The ESPP offers a guaranteed discount on the stock purchase, which can be an opportunity to maximize investment returns. Over time, the value of these shares can build up and become a significant portion of your investment portfolio. Be sure to review your concentration risk. Selling high cost basis shares and gifting low cost basis shares often helps to reduce this risk and offset tax costs while supporting your favorite charity.

401K PLAN

  • If you have reached the salary deferral limit for your 401k contributions, the “mega backdoor Roth” strategy can be an effective way to save more, tax-free, for retirement. To do this, you make after-tax contributions to the 401k and then complete an in-plan conversion. This will move the after-tax contributions to the Roth side of the 401k, where the funds can be invested and grow tax-free.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

  • RSUs create taxable income equal to the value of the shares vesting. While a portion of the shares are typically used for tax withholding the standard rate is 22%. Those in higher tax brackets will want to adjust their withholding to cover this tax. Over time the value of your shares can build up. Be sure to review your concentration risk. Selling high basis shares and gifting low basis shares often helps to reduce the tax impact. Utilizing stock gifts to a donor advised fund or endowment can also help offset high income tax years while funding gifts to your favorite charities many years into the future.

Hilltop

Executive

Advantage

Book a complimentary consultation to explore retirement & wealth strategies designed for Cisco executives like you.

  • Risk-managed portfolio design—inside and outside of your retirement plan—helping you to preserve and grow wealth.

  • Comprehensive tax projections. Social Security timing strategies, and charitable planning to keep more in your pocket.

  • Guidance on HSA investing, Medicare integration, and retiree medical plan coverage with the Cisco Retiree Medical Access Plan.

  • Strategies for efficient distributions, Roth conversions, and tax-smart withdrawal sequencing.

  • Beneficiary reviews, trust coordination, and multi-generational planning in coordination with your estate attorney.

  • Experienced guidance on managing concentrated Cisco equity positions and equity compensation (restricted stock and employee purchase plans).

  • Leverage charitable giving tools to maximize your impact and optimize Cisco’s 1:1 gift match (up to $10,000).

  • Planning for dependents, special needs and succession—so your wealth serves your family for generations to come.