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Employee benefits
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Employee benefits [Abstract]  
Employee benefits
14. Employee benefits


Employee Tax-Deferred Savings Plans

The Company offers a 401(k) savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”) to all full-time employees that provides for tax-deferred salary deductions for eligible employees (beginning the first month following an employee’s hire date). Employees may choose to make voluntary contributions of their annual compensation to the 401(k) Plan, limited to an annual maximum amount as set periodically by the IRS. Employee contributions are fully vested when made. Under the 401(k) Plan, there is no option available to the employee to receive or purchase our common stock. Matching contributions of 5% under the 401(k) Plan aggregated $85,946 for the year ended December 31, 2021.


Employee Defined Benefit Plans

Under Greek labor law, employees are entitled to staff leaving indemnity in the event of dismissal or retirement with the amount of payment varying in relation to the employee’s compensation, length of service and manner of termination (dismissed or retired). Employees who resign or are dismissed with cause are not entitled to staff leaving indemnity. The provision for retirement obligations is classified as defined benefit plan under ASC 715-30 and is based on an actuarial valuation.

As of December 31, 2021, and 2020 the defined benefit obligation presented in the consolidated balance sheets was $90,066 and $33,676, respectively.

The changes in the defined benefit obligation for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
  
   
2021
    
2020
  
Liability at beginning of year
  
$
33,676
    
$
28,853
  
Interest cost
    
195
      
337
  
Service cost
    
5,159
      
1,671
  
Actuarial losses / (gains)
    
56,241
      
-
Exchange differences
    
(5,205
)
    
2,815
  
Liability at end of year
  
$
90,066
    
$
33,676
  

For the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the amounts included in the consolidated statements of operations and in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

   
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2021
    
2020
  
Amounts included on the consolidated statements of operations:
            
Interest cost
  
$
195
    
$
337
  
Service cost
    
5,159
      
1,671
  
   
$
5,354
    
$
2,008
  

   
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2021
    
2020
  
Amounts included on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss):
            
Actuarial losses / (gains)
  
$
56,241
    
$
-
   
$
56,241
    
$
-

Methodology

ASC 715 requires that retirement benefit arrangements should be classified as defined benefit or defined contribution plans. Defined contribution plans are accounted for on a cash basis, i.e., the Net Periodic Benefit Cost in any period is equal to the employer cash contributions. The accounting treatment of defined benefit plans is more complicated and requires actuarial valuations because the standard requires the costs of defined benefit plans to be attributed to periods of employee service.

The Retirement Indemnities Plan (under Greek Law 4093) has been classified by the Company as unfunded defined benefit plans for ASC 715 accounting purposes.

The actuarial methodology uses an approach which considers the benefits in respect of service completed before the valuation date (past service) separately from benefits in respect of service expected to be completed after the valuation date (future service). This approach enables us to determine the defined benefit obligation and the cost of the benefits accruing in the year following the valuation date.

The calculation is based on the Projected Unit Credit method.

Actuarial Assumptions

The actuarial assumptions are the best estimates at the valuation date and are taken into account at the calculation of the Defined Benefit Obligation.

The principal actuarial assumptions used are:

   
Valuation Date
  
Financial Assumptions
  
December 31, 2021
    
December 31, 2020
  
Discount rate
    
0.75
%
    
0.60
%
Future salary increases
    
1.80
%
    
1.50
%
Inflation
    
1.80
%
    
1.50
%

 
Valuation Date
Demographic Assumptions
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Mortality (1)
EVK 2000 (male and female)
Disability (1)
50% EVK 2000
Retirement age limits (2)
As defined by the Greek main insurance institution for each employee.
Turnover (3)
0.00%

(1) Mortality Table: The mortality rate of employees is defined according to EVK 2000 (male and female), which is widely accepted as unbiased.
(2) Turnover Rates: For the purposes of the actuarial study, the turnover rate was estimated based on the Company’s historical data, estimated future development and long-term economic trends.
(3) Retirement ages are those provided by primary Greek insurance carrier and depend mainly on sex, class of worker, having incorporated the latest additions to the age limits of Greek Laws 4093/2012 and 4336/2015.

Sensitivity Analysis

The sensitivity analysis of defined benefit obligation against changes in principal assumptions is as follows:

   
Effect on liability in financial year 2020
  
   
Change in assumption by
    
Increase in assumption
    
Decrease in assumption
  
Discount rate
    
0.50
%
    
-9
%
    
+10
%
Annual salary increase
    
0.50
%
    
+6
%
    
-7
%