Omnicom Group Employees: Exploring Exchange Funds and Tax-Efficient Strategies for Deferred Gains
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Omnicom Group
Omnicom Group typically partners with a variety of healthcare insurance providers to cover the medical needs of its employees. Notably, companies like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna frequently feature among their offerings, but specific health plan details may vary based on employment terms, location, and specific employee needs.
Healthcare Cost Increases for 2026
As we move towards 2026, significant healthcare cost increases are anticipated for employees at Omnicom Group, mirroring national trends. With the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, many enrollees in the Affordable Care Act marketplace may see their premiums soar by over 75%. Specific states are bracing for steep rate hikes, some exceeding 60%, driven by escalating medical costs and aggressive rate adjustments from major insurers. This perfect storm of rising expenses adds financial pressure on families, especially those considering early retirement or facing high out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
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'Omnicom Group 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.
'Omnicom Group 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 Omnicom Group 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 Omnicom Group 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 Omnicom Group 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 Omnicom Group 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 Omnicom Group 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.
The 401(k) plan at Omnicom Group is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis, helping them build a nest egg for retirement.
How can I enroll in the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan?
Employees can enroll in the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan by accessing the benefits portal or contacting the HR department for guidance on the enrollment process.
Does Omnicom Group offer matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Omnicom Group offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.
What is the vesting schedule for Omnicom Group's 401(k) matching contributions?
The vesting schedule for Omnicom Group's matching contributions typically follows a standard schedule, which may vary based on tenure. Employees should refer to the plan documents for specific details.
Can I change my contribution rate to the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan?
Yes, employees at Omnicom Group can change their contribution rate to the 401(k) plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
What investment options are available in the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan?
The Omnicom Group 401(k) plan offers a range of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.
Is there a loan provision in the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan?
Yes, the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan may allow employees to take loans against their vested balance, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan documents.
How can I access my 401(k) account information for Omnicom Group?
Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the online benefits portal or by contacting the plan administrator for assistance.
What happens to my Omnicom Group 401(k) plan if I leave the company?
If you leave Omnicom Group, you have several options for your 401(k) plan, including rolling it over to another qualified plan, cashing it out, or leaving it in the Omnicom Group plan if permitted.
Are there any fees associated with the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan?
Yes, like most 401(k) plans, the Omnicom Group 401(k) plan may have administrative fees and investment-related fees. Employees should review the plan documents for detailed information.