Entegris Employees: Exploring Exchange Funds and Tax-Efficient Strategies for Deferred Gains
Healthcare Provider Update: Entegris provides a generous benefits package for its U.S. employees, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. Employees can access HSAs and FSAs, voluntary accident and critical illness insurance, and paid time off for civic duties and family leave. The company also offers financial wellness programs and retirement planning tools 6.
Healthcare costs in the United States are projected to continue rising through 2026, with insurers proposing significant premium increases for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. A recent analysis found that ACA insurers are seeking a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, marking the largest hike since 2018. This surge is attributed to factors such as the anticipated expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, rising medical costsincluding expensive medications and increased hospital staysand a shift in the risk pool towards higher-cost enrollees. Without the renewal of enhanced subsidies, out-of-pocket premiums for ACA marketplace enrollees could increase by more than 75% on average.
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'Entegris employees should view capital gains management as part of a broader retirement strategy as flexible, tax-efficient planning tailored to individual circumstances can help preserve wealth over the long term.' – Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Entegris employees may benefit from retirement planning strategies that incorporate adaptable approaches. Flexibility in planning can better align financial decisions with evolving personal and economic circumstances.' – Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article we will discuss:
Personalized and adaptable tax-efficient planning for Entegris employees.
Deferred gains and tax-free diversification strategies, including §721 Exchange Funds and §351 ETF conversions.
Additional methods such as charitable donations, remainder trusts, and collars for managing capital gains.
Patrick Ray, a Wealth Enhancement financial advisor, highlights the importance of personalized tax-efficient planning when determining the best way to mitigate capital gains taxes on a highly valued position. 'Retirement planning is not a one-size-fits-all approach,' he notes. 'It requires tailored strategies that address unique factors such as tax-efficient withdrawals.' For Entegris employees, effective planning—which can include using tax-efficient tools like donor-advised funds or donating appreciated shares to charity selectively—means taking a customized approach based on your unique tax bracket, liquidity requirements, and long-term objectives, particularly when it comes to managing significant capital gains.
For his part, Wealth Enhancement advisor Tyson Mavar emphasizes the necessity of adaptable planning tools, pointing out that traditional guidance could be misaligned. 'Retirement planning is particularly complex for investors juggling estate considerations and significant capital gains,' he says. For Entegris professionals, this viewpoint encourages investigating tactics that provide customization, timing flexibility, and tax efficiency based on your financial needs, such as charitable remainder trusts, tax-loss harvesting, or conversions into exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Tax-deferred diversification
: Allows you to receive shares in a diversified portfolio without paying capital gains tax immediately by contributing a concentrated stock position to a pooled exchange fund.
Deferred gain
: Your initial cost basis carries over pro rata, and taxes are postponed until you sell the shares of the diversified portfolio.
Accessibility
: Usually restricted to qualified or accredited buyers, frequently requiring sizeable minimum deposits (between $100,000 and $1 million or more).
Hold period
: Prior to redemption, funds typically impose a seven year lock-up.
Diversification structure
: To prevent being classified as an “investment company,” which would otherwise result in immediate taxation, exchange funds are frequently structured with about 20% in non-stock assets, such as real estate.
For Entegris employees holding concentrated stock, this can provide a structured way to defer taxes while broadening exposure.
Restrictions
Limited liquidity—capital remains locked in for the time being.
High-net-worth investors are generally the only ones able to meet the fees and entry requirements.
You still retain diluted exposure to your original position following the exchange, known as residual exposure.
2. Tax-Free Seeding Into Tax-Efficient Vehicles via Section 351 ETF Conversions
Mechanism and Advantages
Tax-free transfer
: If IRS regulations are followed, you can trade shares of an ETF for a diversified portfolio (such as separately managed account holdings) without recognizing a gain.
Diversification guidelines
: The portfolio must satisfy §368(a)(2)(F)'s 25/50 diversification test, which states that no single holding may account for more than 25% of the portfolio’s value and that the top five holdings cannot exceed 50%.
Control requirement
: Immediately after the exchange, contributors must jointly own at least 80% of voting power and 80% of all share classes.
Continuous in-kind rebalancing
: The ETF structure allows for tax-efficient rebalancing through in-kind transactions, postponing future gains until ETF shares are sold.
For Entegris investors, these mechanisms can be especially valuable if they are already well diversified and seeking long-term tax efficiency.
Restrictions
Eligibility
: Only well-diversified portfolios qualify; concentrated single-stock holders may not benefit unless already diversified.
Cost and complexity
: Requires operational, fund-structuring, and legal setup, often used by institutions or wealthy investors.
3. Collars and Charitable Giving Strategies
High-income investors often use strategies like charitable giving, donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, and collars with borrowing to manage capital gains taxes.
Giving to charity
: Donating appreciated stock directly or through a donor-advised fund can result in a charitable deduction and reduce exposure to capital gains tax.
Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs)
: These generate income while deferring capital gains taxes, with the remainder eventually donated to charity.
Borrowing and collars
: Borrowing against stock provides liquidity without a taxable sale, while collars set boundaries on downside risk. These tactics must be properly structured to prevent constructive sale treatment under §1259.
What type of retirement plan does Entegris offer to its employees?
Entegris offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can employees at Entegris enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Entegris can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s benefits portal.
Does Entegris match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Entegris provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
What is the maximum contribution limit for the Entegris 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for the Entegris 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.
When can employees at Entegris start contributing to their 401(k) plan?
Employees at Entegris can start contributing to their 401(k) plan after they have completed their eligibility period.
Are there any investment options available in the Entegris 401(k) plan?
Yes, the Entegris 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options for employees to choose from.
Can employees at Entegris take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, Entegris allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to plan rules.
What happens to an employee’s 401(k) balance if they leave Entegris?
If an employee leaves Entegris, they can roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account or withdraw it, subject to taxes and penalties.
Does Entegris provide financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?
Yes, Entegris offers financial education resources to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) plan.
How often can employees at Entegris change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Entegris can change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at designated times throughout the year.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Entegris offers a 401(k) plan with a strong company match as a key benefit to its employees. In 2022 and 2023, Entegris matched 100% of employee contributions up to 5% of their salary. This plan is structured as a defined contribution plan, which allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars and benefit from tax-deferred growth. The 401(k) plan is designed to help employees save for retirement, and eligibility begins immediately upon employment. The specific name of the 401(k) plan used by Entegris is referred to simply as the Entegris 401(k) Plan.
In addition to the 401(k), Entegris does not provide a traditional defined benefit pension plan. However, the company emphasizes its financial wellness programs, including educational resources on retirement planning and savings strategies. Employees at Entegris must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the 401(k) plan, and the plan allows for immediate vesting in both the employee and company contributions.
Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, Entegris announced a strategic restructuring plan aimed at streamlining its operations and reducing costs. This decision involved a workforce reduction of approximately 5% to improve operational efficiency and align with its long-term growth strategy. The company cited the need to adapt to changing market conditions and enhance its competitive edge as primary reasons for the layoffs. The decision was influenced by the current economic environment, where many companies are reevaluating their operations to remain agile and financially resilient.
Entegris offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its employee compensation packages, particularly for senior management and other eligible employees. The company uses the acronym RSU for Restricted Stock Units and SOP for Stock Option Plan. These equity awards aim to align employee incentives with long-term company performance.
As of 2022, 2023, and 2024, Entegris provided both stock options and RSUs to eligible employees. RSUs are typically granted to executive-level employees, while stock options have a broader eligibility across the company's workforce, including engineers and managerial staff. These options and RSUs are designed to vest over time, incentivizing employees to remain with the company long-term
Entegris' health benefits.
Specific Healthcare-Related Terms and Acronyms:
Health Savings Account (HSA): A tax-advantaged savings account for medical expenses.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): An account that allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses.
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): A health insurance plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A program offering confidential counseling and support services.
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): An employer-funded account that reimburses employees for qualified medical expenses.
Recent Employee Healthcare News:
2023 Updates: Look for any recent changes or enhancements in health benefits for 2023 or upcoming changes for 2024.
Healthcare Plan Changes: Identify any modifications in health insurance coverage, cost-sharing, or new benefits introduced.
Employee Feedback: Review employee comments or reviews to understand the satisfaction and concerns related to the health benefits.