Five Below Employees: Smarter Ways to Manage Taxes on Appreciated Stock
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Five Below
Five Below, a popular retail chain that focuses on selling a variety of items priced at $5 and below, utilizes Aetna as their healthcare provider. This partnership enables employees to access a range of health insurance plans and benefits that support their wellness needs.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
As the healthcare landscape shifts, significant premium hikes are anticipated in 2026, particularly for those enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans. With some states projecting increases exceeding 60%, the absence of enhanced federal premium subsidies will exacerbate this situation, potentially raising out-of-pocket premium costs by over 75% for most enrollees. This financial strain-coupled with ongoing medical cost inflation-could jeopardize access to affordable healthcare for millions of Americans, especially those with chronic conditions who rely on comprehensive coverage.
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'Five Below 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.
'Five Below 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.
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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.' Five Below 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. Five Below 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 Five Below 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.
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This could create a challenge for investors who require liquidity. Additionally, these funds are often exclusively accessible to wealthy, accredited investors—something Five Below 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.
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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 Five Below 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 Five Below 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 Five Below 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 Five Below 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.
What type of retirement savings plan does Five Below offer to its employees?
Five Below offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Is participation in the 401(k) plan at Five Below mandatory?
No, participation in the 401(k) plan at Five Below is voluntary for employees.
Does Five Below provide any matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Five Below offers matching contributions to eligible employees who participate in the 401(k) plan.
At what age can employees at Five Below start contributing to the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Five Below can start contributing to the 401(k) plan as soon as they meet the eligibility requirements, typically at age 18.
How can employees at Five Below enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Five Below can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal.
What investment options are available in the Five Below 401(k) plan?
The Five Below 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.
Can employees at Five Below change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, employees at Five Below can change their contribution percentage at any time, subject to plan rules.
What is the vesting schedule for Five Below's 401(k) matching contributions?
Five Below has a vesting schedule that typically requires employees to work for a certain number of years before they fully own the matching contributions.
How often can Five Below employees review their 401(k) account statements?
Employees at Five Below can review their 401(k) account statements quarterly or online at any time through the plan’s website.
What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Five Below?
If an employee leaves Five Below, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash out, or leave it in the Five Below plan if allowed.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
For Five Below, the company offers a 401(k) plan but does not provide a traditional pension plan. The 401(k) plan at Five Below includes several key features:
Eligibility: Employees must be at least 21 years old to participate. Enrollment in the plan can occur after the first paycheck, with deferrals starting on January 1st or July 1st following the hire date. Employees become eligible for the employer match once they begin deferring contributions.
Contributions: Employees can contribute on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) basis, up to the IRS annual limits. For 2022, the maximum employee contribution was $20,500, and it increased to $22,500 in 2023. Employees aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions, with limits of $6,500 in 2022 and $7,500 in 2023. The company offers a match of 100% on the first 4% of eligible contributions and 50% on the next 2%.
Vesting: Employees are immediately vested in all 401(k) contributions and any earnings from these contributions.
Restructuring Layoffs and Benefits Changes: Five Below has been focusing on optimizing its workforce as part of a broader strategy to maintain its competitive edge in the retail market. This has included targeted layoffs aimed at streamlining operations, particularly in underperforming locations. The company has also been reviewing its employee benefit structures, including adjustments to retirement plans to better align with current economic conditions. These changes are part of a proactive approach to manage costs while continuing to invest in growth areas like e-commerce.
Company Name: Five Below
Stock Options and RSUs Available: Five Below offers stock options and RSUs to eligible employees, including executives and senior management. The RSUs are granted based on performance and tenure.
Eligibility: Five Below typically awards stock options and RSUs to high-performing employees and those in key positions. Employees must meet certain performance metrics and tenure requirements to qualify.
Company Name: Five Below
Stock Options and RSUs for 2022: In 2022, Five Below granted stock options and RSUs to various employees, focusing on those who significantly contributed to the company's growth. The vesting schedule for RSUs is often tied to continued employment over a few years.
Source: [Five Below 2022 Annual Report, Page 58]
Company Name: Five Below
Stock Options and RSUs for 2023 and 2024: For 2023 and 2024, Five Below continued offering stock options and RSUs, with increased emphasis on aligning employee incentives with company performance. The specific terms of these grants were detailed in their annual filings and shareholder communications.
Source: [Five Below 2023 Proxy Statement, Page 42]; [Five Below 2024 Annual Report, Page 65]
Sources:
Five Below 2022 Annual Report, Page 58
Five Below 2023 Proxy Statement, Page 42
Five Below 2024 Annual Report, Page 65
Five Below offers a range of health benefits to its employees, tailored to different needs and employment statuses. Full-time employees can choose from multiple health plans, including High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans, each with varying levels of coverage and copays. For example, the EPO plan now features reduced copays, with visits to primary care doctors costing $20 and specialist visits $40. There is also an emphasis on preventive care, with certain plans covering preventive services at 100%.
Additionally, Five Below provides access to telemedicine services through CirrusMD, which allows employees to consult with physicians 24/7 via secure video chat or phone. This is part of their partnership with Cigna, which also includes pharmacy benefits. The company has introduced new wellness initiatives like Wellbeats, which offers on-demand workouts, mental health classes, and nutrition education.
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