Texas Instruments Employees: Smarter Ways to Manage Taxes on Appreciated Stock
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments primarily provides health benefits to its employees through Aetna. Aetna offers a variety of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, ensuring comprehensive coverage for employees and their families.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
As Texas Instruments navigates the healthcare landscape, employees may face significant challenges due to anticipated healthcare cost increases in 2026. Industry reports project that health insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans could rise substantially, with some states seeing increases exceeding 60%. Factors contributing to this surge include the potential expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and ongoing medical cost inflation, which is expected to continue impacting healthcare affordability. With more than 92% of marketplace enrollees potentially facing over a 75% increase in out-of-pocket premiums, proactive financial planning becomes crucial for both the company and its workforce.
Click here to learn more
'Texas Instruments 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.
'Texas Instruments 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.' Texas Instruments 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. Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments 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 Texas Instruments offer to its employees?
Texas Instruments offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Is there a company match for contributions to the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
Yes, Texas Instruments provides a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
At what age can employees of Texas Instruments start contributing to the 401(k) plan?
Employees of Texas Instruments can start contributing to the 401(k) plan as soon as they are eligible, typically upon hire or after a short waiting period.
How can Texas Instruments employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Texas Instruments employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company's online benefits portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
What investment options are available in the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
The Texas Instruments 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.
Does Texas Instruments allow employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts?
Yes, Texas Instruments allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts, subject to specific terms and conditions.
What is the vesting schedule for the company match in the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
The vesting schedule for the company match in the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan typically follows a graded vesting schedule, which means employees earn ownership of the match over a period of time.
Can Texas Instruments employees change their contribution percentage at any time?
Yes, Texas Instruments employees can change their contribution percentage at any time, usually through the online benefits portal.
What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Texas Instruments?
If an employee leaves Texas Instruments, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, leave it in the Texas Instruments plan (if eligible), or withdraw the funds, subject to taxes and penalties.
Are there any fees associated with the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
Yes, there may be fees associated with the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan, which can include administrative fees and investment-related fees. Employees are encouraged to review the plan documents for details.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Texas Instruments offers both a traditional defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution 401(k) plan. The defined benefit plan includes a cash balance component, where benefits grow based on years of service and compensation, with interest credits added annually. The 401(k) plan features company matching contributions and various investment options, including target-date funds and mutual funds. Texas Instruments provides financial planning resources and tools to help employees manage their retirement savings.
Layoffs and Restructuring: Texas Instruments announced it will lay off 1,700 employees as part of a broader effort to shift focus from its mobile business to embedded markets. The job cuts represent about 5% of TI's staff and are aimed at cutting costs and increasing presence in the burgeoning embedded device market (Sources: Manufacturing.net, Hartford Business Journal). Operational Changes: The layoffs will begin in early November 2024 and be spaced out until the end of January 2025. Employees affected by these layoffs include technicians and engineers who couldn't find other positions within the company (Source: Manufacturing.net). Strategic Focus: TI's strategic shift involves concentrating on embedded connectivity in everyday items, including appliances, cars, and clothing, to align with industry trends and future growth opportunities (Source: Hartford Business Journal).
Texas Instruments provides both RSUs and stock options as part of its employee compensation. RSUs vest over time, converting into shares, while stock options allow employees to buy shares at a set price.
Texas Instruments (TI) offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package aimed at supporting the diverse needs of its employees. For 2023, TI continued to provide 100% coverage for periodic preventive health office visits and screening tests, without any copay or deductibles. Additionally, the company offers a range of options including health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and various insurance plans like dental, vision, and life insurance. Mental health benefits and wellness programs are also integral parts of the healthcare offerings at TI. In 2024, Texas Instruments has further refined its benefits to include enhanced mental health resources and flexible work schedules. Employees can access job training, tuition reimbursement, and paid volunteer time, reflecting TI's commitment to overall well-being and professional growth. These benefits are particularly important in today's economic and political environment, where maintaining a healthy work-life balance and financial security is crucial. By continuously updating its healthcare benefits, Texas Instruments ensures that employees are well-supported in managing their health and career development.
Additional Articles
Check Out Articles for Texas Instruments employees
/General/General%206.png?width=1280&height=853&name=General%206.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)