Coty Employees: Smarter Ways to Manage Taxes on Appreciated Stock
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Coty
Coty, a prominent beauty company, partners with various healthcare providers and insurers for employee health benefits, but the specific provider may vary based on location and employee needs. Coty typically engages with well-known insurers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare to deliver health insurance options for its employees.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
Healthcare costs are anticipated to rise significantly in 2026, propelled by a convergence of factors affecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. The potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies will increase out-of-pocket premiums for approximately 22 million enrollees, with estimates suggesting a staggering rise of over 75% in costs. Concurrently, insurers are submitting rate requests that reflect steep hikes-some states seeing increases of up to 66%-while overall medical cost inflation continues to press up prices across the healthcare spectrum. This combination of subsidy withdrawal and aggressive rate adjustments from major insurers could pose significant financial challenges for consumers seeking coverage in 2026.
Click here to learn more
'Coty employees with concentrated stock positions may benefit from thoughtful tax planning that allows for tax deferral while balancing liquidity, compliance, and long-term compounding,' Wesley Boudreaux, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Coty employees who hold highly-appreciated stock may want to consider tax-efficient strategies that help mitigate their liabilities while aligning with their overall retirement goals,' Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article, we will discuss:
How taxes can affect investment returns, particularly on concentrated stock positions.
Exchange funds and options-based strategies as methods for tax deferral and diversification.
Alternative planning techniques outside ETFs, including charitable trusts and gifting strategies.
By Carlos Hernandez, Wealth Enhancement advisor
When it comes to driving portfolio returns, many investors aim to keep management fees low by investing in low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While fees matter, however, the real culprit for lower-than-anticipated performance is taxes.
1
Wealth Enhancement advisor Carlos Hernandez explains: 'By losing less to taxes each year, investors have access to more capital that can continue to compound over time. This makes tax deferral an important part of an effective financial plan.' Coty employees looking for long-term growth strategies could benefit by understanding how to better manage their investment tax burdens.
Trade Money
One area where taxes can take a toll is on the sale of company stock or other concentrated investment positions. Coty professionals looking to diversify could face significant capital gains taxes on an outright sale. One way to diversify without triggering immediate capital gains is through exchange funds. By contributing their highy-appreciated stock to a pooled fund, investors can trade their concentrated holdings for shares in a diverse basket of securities. This method can be used by Coty employees who want to diversify while postponing taxable events.
Although this method allows for tax deferral, it also requires investors to hold the exchange fund for a period of time, typically seven years.
2
This could create a challenge for investors who require liquidity. Additionally, these funds are often exclusively accessible to wealthy, accredited investors—something Coty executives should carefully evaluate.
Funds Based on Options
Another way to mitigate taxes on the sale of highly-appreciated stock is by using options contracts. The idea is to hedge risk with put options while covering the cost of those puts by selling call options—a strategy called 'collaring'. From there, the strategy reverses, with investors selling put options and using the proceeds to buy call option on an equity or bond index.
3
If managed effectively, this helps to diversify a concentrated portfolio while still maintaining liquidity.
Given the complexity of this strategy, meticulous planning is necessary. It's generally recommended that investors work with an experienced financial advisor before pursuing this approach.
Things to Be Aware of
Although these strategies can be beneficial for Coty employees who hold highly-appreciated stock, caution is recommended. There are costs associated with these approaches, and potential liquidity risks. Additionally, the IRS may eventually contest such arrangements because their tax status has not been thoroughly examined—something Coty retirees should keep top of mind.
'Tax drag reduction strategies can be effective, but they must be assessed through the lens of risk, liquidity, cost, and compliance,' warns Carlos Hernandez. What is appealing in theory must hold up to inspection in the real world.
Alternative Strategies
Although they show promise, investors with highly-appreciated stock or those looking to postpone gains have other alternatives besides exchange funds or options. Other tactics could include:
- Prepaid variable forwards (subject to IRS regulations, contracts to sell at predetermined terms in the future).
- Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), which allow investors to donate appreciated stock to a charitable trust and receive a stream of regular income in return.
- Donor-advised funds (DAFs), which provide investors with a tax deduction for the fair market value of the appreciated stock they donate.
- Other gifting techniques, such as direct donations to charity or family.
Each has its own set of guidelines, advantages, and disadvantages. To limit unnecessary taxes or violating the constructive sale regulations, careful planning is necessary for Coty professionals managing complex portfolios.
The Bottom Line
Although the movement to mitigate the tax burden on investments is not new, the instruments are changing. Both exchange funds and options-based structures offer investors a way to manage tax liabilities, especially for Coty employees who hold highly-appreciated stock.
In the end, taxes are unavoidable. However, with the correct set of instruments, they can be controlled and postponed. 'The real value comes from aligning tax strategy with investment strategy,' summarizes Carlos Hernandez.
The Coty 401(k) Savings Plan is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary to a tax-advantaged account to save for retirement.
How can I enroll in the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan?
You can enroll in the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan by completing the enrollment process through the employee benefits portal or contacting the HR department for assistance.
What types of contributions can I make to the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees can make pre-tax contributions, Roth (after-tax) contributions, and, in some cases, catch-up contributions if they are age 50 or older in the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan.
Does Coty offer a company match for the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, Coty provides a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) Savings Plan, subject to certain limits and eligibility requirements.
What is the vesting schedule for Coty's 401(k) company match?
The vesting schedule for Coty's company match typically follows a graded schedule, meaning employees earn ownership of the match over a period of time.
Can I change my contribution percentage to the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, you can change your contribution percentage at any time by accessing the employee benefits portal or contacting HR.
What investment options are available in the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan?
The Coty 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance and retirement goals.
How often can I make changes to my investments in the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees can typically make changes to their investment allocations in the Coty 401(k) Savings Plan on a regular basis, often daily or monthly, depending on the plan's rules.
What happens to my Coty 401(k) Savings Plan if I leave the company?
If you leave Coty, you have several options for your 401(k) Savings Plan, including leaving the funds in the plan, rolling them over to another retirement account, or cashing out (though this may incur taxes and penalties).
Can I take a loan from my Coty 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, Coty allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) Savings Plan under certain conditions, subject to the plan's rules and limits.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Coty has seen a strong performance in 2024, with significant growth in its beauty market, particularly in prestige fragrances. This momentum has led to an increase in their fiscal year 2024 outlook. However, there is no specific news about changes in Coty's pension or 401(k) plans for 2024. Instead, the company has been focused on expanding its market presence and product lines, including launching successful new fragrances and entering new licensing agreements.
Coty reported strong financial performance in FY23 and into early FY24, driven by growth in both its Prestige and Consumer Beauty segments. Coty's strategic efforts in exiting the Russian market and focusing on key growth categories resulted in operational improvements. However, despite this growth, Coty has continued to streamline operations, which could involve restructuring and potential layoffs as part of their drive to enhance profitability and manage costs amidst ongoing economic pressures, inflation, and global market volatility
Stock Options:
Coty Inc. offers stock options as part of its employee compensation plan. These stock options give employees the right to purchase Coty shares at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price. The options typically have a vesting period, during which employees must remain with the company before they can exercise their options. Vesting schedules can vary, but they generally require employees to stay for a few years before all the options become exercisable.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs):
Coty also provides Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to its employees. RSUs represent a promise to grant shares of Coty stock once certain conditions are met, such as remaining with the company for a specified period or achieving specific performance targets. RSUs usually vest over a few years, with a portion of the units vesting each year. Once vested, the RSUs are converted into actual shares of stock, which the employee can then hold or sell.
Latest Stock Options and RSUs (2022-2024)
2022:
In 2022, Coty continued to offer both stock options and RSUs to eligible employees as part of their long-term incentive plan. The stock options typically had a standard vesting period of four years, while RSUs also followed a similar vesting schedule. These compensation elements aimed to align employee interests with the company's long-term performance goals.
2023:
During 2023, Coty enhanced its RSU offerings, focusing on retaining top talent and incentivizing performance. The company introduced additional performance-based RSUs, which vest based on achieving specific financial targets. This move was part of Coty's broader strategy to motivate employees and drive company growth through equity compensation.
2024:
In 2024, Coty expanded its equity compensation plans to include more employees, offering a mix of stock options and RSUs. The company placed a greater emphasis on RSUs with performance conditions, reflecting its commitment to aligning employee rewards with the company’s success. Coty also made adjustments to its vesting schedules, making them more competitive within the industry.
Coty's healthcare benefits have been structured to support the diverse needs of its employees, particularly emphasizing comprehensive coverage and wellness initiatives. In 2023, Coty offered several health plans, including PPO and HMO options, which allowed employees to choose plans based on their specific healthcare needs and preferences. These plans included coverage for medical, dental, and vision care, as well as access to wellness programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among employees. The company's commitment to healthcare is evident in its robust benefits package, which also includes mental health support and flexible spending accounts to help manage healthcare costs.
The importance of discussing Coty's healthcare benefits is underscored by the current economic and political environment, where healthcare costs are a significant concern for employees. With rising healthcare expenses and ongoing changes in healthcare policy, Coty's efforts to provide comprehensive benefits are crucial for attracting and retaining talent. Furthermore, in the context of economic uncertainties and tax implications, having access to reliable and extensive healthcare benefits can significantly impact employees' financial and personal well-being. The focus on healthcare benefits also aligns with broader investment in employee wellness, which is essential for maintaining productivity and job satisfaction.
/General/General%204.png?width=1280&height=853&name=General%204.png)
-2.png?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(52)-2.png)
.webp?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(27).webp)
-2.png)
.webp)