Odyssey Advisors

🎉 Celebrating 25 Years of Odyssey Advisors 🎉 Time to break out the confetti and reminisce with us! We can hardly believe it's been 25 years since Parker Elmore founded Odyssey Advisors. In honor of this momentous month, our team put together this video to celebrate the epic double milestone and share the immense gratitude we all have for this remarkable company and Parker. To our clients and the financial advisors, auditors, and accountants who have chosen to partner with us over the years, thank you. We're extremely lucky to have such an incredible network of supporters! Join us in raising a glass to the last 25 years of adventure, hard work, and incredible memories. Here's to many more exciting years ahead! #OdysseyAnniversary #25YearsStrong #ThankYou #WorkAnniversary #OPEB #RetirementPlanning Francis Fraine Kurtis Thompson ASA, MAAA Samantha Schneider Luke Matchett Caleb White Andrew Taggart, ASA, EA, ACA, MAAA Kirby Elmore Prigioni Stephanie Irvin, MBA

Need a last-minute #Halloween costume? We’re resurrecting last year’s fan-favorite because let’s be honest: who doesn’t love a costume that’s right in the closet, no trip to Spirit Halloween required. Join our crew of number wizards this Halloween, where math = magic. Every calculation is a trick, and every spreadsheet… a treat! 👻📊 And for the dedicated among you, might we recommend the ultimate prop: the trusty HP-12c calculator. #halloweencostume #actuary #riskmanagement #actuarialscience

Fiduciary Financial Advisors: What do they do, and why does it matter? In this episode of 'Ask an Actuary,' Stephanie Irvin, MBA sits down with Caleb White, an actuarial consultant here at Odyssey Advisors, to break down the role of fiduciary financial advisors. Unlike other advisors, fiduciaries are legally obligated to act in your best interest—ensuring your financial well-being is always the top priority. Cal covers key differences between fiduciary and non-fiduciary advisors, the duties they uphold, and why it’s crucial to choose someone who operates under the fiduciary standard. Got questions or topic ideas for our next episode? Let us know in the comments! *Please note: 'Ask an Actuary' features interviews with our team, including both consulting actuaries and actuarial consultants. #AskanActuary #Fiduciary #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdvisor

When all the numbers line up just right on your OPEB valuation 🌽🍬 (Also, anyone else just find out that candy corn lined up together looks like corn on the cob?) #OPEB #actuarialvictory #candycornprecision

Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have surged by 7% for the second year in a row 📈 If you're an employer—local governments included—you’re likely feeling the impact. While inflation is easing across most sectors, healthcare is headed in the opposite direction. So how does this affect local governments? 𝟭. 𝗦𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗕 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: As healthcare premiums rise, OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) liabilities increase, placing a heavier burden on your financial statements. 𝟮. 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻: To keep up with escalating healthcare costs, local governments may face tough choices—raising taxes or cutting essential services. 𝟯. 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Unpredictable cost spikes lead to larger-than-expected liabilities, which can disrupt bond ratings and create financial instability for municipalities. Read the full article to explore strategies that can help mitigate these challenges and protect your municipality’s financial health. #healthcarecosts #localgovernment #municipalfinance #OPEB

If you're an employer, you know. Health insurance costs continue to grow well above inflation rates. As we've been telling clients, costs were mitigated with lower renewals during the COVID era but as contracts renew the providers want much higher rates to make up for what they lost during the high inflation of the last few years. This is part of why wage growth has stalled as healthcare is a major part of employee compensation - so long as that's growing above inflation, that puts downward pressure on wages. There are no easy answers - push costs to employees, narrower networks, fewer covered services, etc.

🎉 Help us wish Parker Elmore a very Happy Birthday! (It's tomorrow, but we're celebrating today!) 🎉 Parker's leadership and vision have shaped Odyssey Advisors into the success it is today. His dedication and passion continue to inspire our entire team and those around him. From all of us here at Odyssey, we hope you have an amazing birthday, Parker! 🎂 #happybirthday Caleb White Kurtis Thompson ASA, MAAA Francis Fraine Stephanie Irvin, MBA Kirby Elmore Prigioni Samantha Schneider Andrew Taggart, ASA, EA, FCA, MAAA Luke Matchett

📍 Deadline reminder 📍 If you plan to transition from a SIMPLE IRA to a 401(k) in 2025, you need to notify your employees by December 2, 2024 - just 30 days before the end of the year. This deadline was updated with the introduction of the SECURE 2.0 rules this year, reducing the notice period from 60 to 30 days. We want to help so we've simplified it for you - in the article below is a sample termination notice you can use. Just make sure to put your company info and put it on letterhead if you have it. #SIMPLEIRA #401k #retirementplanning #smallbusinessowner

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀? The Fed's 0.5 percentage point interest rate cut aims to stimulate the economy, but it also brings big changes for state and local finances: 🔹 Lower Borrowing Costs – Easier financing for infrastructure projects and long-term investments. 🔹 Refinancing Opportunities – Potential to save by restructuring existing debt. 🔹 Housing Market Boost – New construction could ease state-funded housing support. 🔹 Increased Tax Revenues – Higher consumer spending and business investments may lead to stronger tax receipts. On the flip side, states that rely on interest income from reserves may face budget shortfalls. Staying agile in a changing landscape is key. Want more insights on how to navigate these financial shifts? Check out the full article on Route Fifty. #federalreserve #interestrates #localgovernment #publicfinance

Limited Purpose FSAs: What are they, and who are they for? 🤔 In this episode of 'Ask an Actuary,' Stephanie Irvin, MBA sits down with Francis Fraine, Odyssey’s Director of Operations and actuarial consultant, to explore the ins and outs of limited purpose FSAs. While many are familiar with traditional FSAs and HSAs, this lesser-known variant focuses specifically on dental and vision expenses—so don’t make the mistake of assuming it covers your medical deductible! Tune in to learn who might benefit from this type of account, common pitfalls to avoid, and a cautionary tale if you don't read the fine print. Got questions or another topic suggestion? Drop us a comment below! *Please note: 'Ask an Actuary' features interviews with our team, including both consulting actuaries and actuarial consultants. #AskanActuary #FSA #EmployeeBenefits #LimitedPurposeFSA