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24 Jan '24Small Business 401(k) Plans – Guide and Providers
Continue readingA bit of a detour today to discuss small business 401(k) plans. Wealth45 generally focuses on employees of large technology companies. But thought a dive into the world of small business might be of interest. When it comes to 401(k) plans, the playing field shifts between small businesses and tech giants. Smaller companies, limited by […]
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19 Oct '23Exploring Household Income – Financial Voyeurism Part 1
Continue readingTech employees are known for their high household income. Yet the cost of living in tech hubs like Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area often makes it seem less glamorous. To keep things in perspective, I eagerly await the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) every three years. This report sheds light […]
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13 Sep '23The ESPP Decision – More Equity?
Continue readingAn employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is a program offered by a company to its employees to purchase shares of company stock at a discounted price. ESPPs are a popular way for employees to build wealth over time and share in the company’s success. There are two main types of ESPPs: Qualified ESPPs: These plans […]
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19 Jul '23Unique Employee Benefits-Apple, Facebook, Google & Microsoft
Continue readingLarge technology companies in the U.S. offer a range of employee benefits to support workers and maintain a positive environment. Each company’s benefits package includes both standard offerings (health insurance, PTO, etc.) and unique perks. Here are some of the unique employee benefits provided by four of the largest tech employers: Google (Alphabet Inc.) […]
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14 Apr '23Employee Stock Options – The Basics
Continue readingStock options are a form of equity compensation that technology companies often offer to their employees. Stock options give employees the right, but not the obligation, to buy a certain number of company shares at a predetermined price, known as the “strike price” or “exercise price,” within a specified time period, known as the “vesting […]
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31 Mar '23RSU Income & Mortgage Qualification
Continue readingWorking for a tech company that uses Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as compensation can limit your ability to qualify for the home mortgage you might desire. Luckily, more mortgage providers now accept income from RSUs in their qualification calculations, but it may take some advanced planning on your part. More about Equity Compensation at Tech […]
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07 Jan '23The Difference: ISOs vs. NSOs Equity Compensation
Continue readingIncentive stock options (ISOs) and non-qualified stock options (NSOs) are two common types of equity compensation. Tech companies in the United States often give them to key employees. Both ISOs and NSOs provide executives with an opportunity to purchase company stock at a predetermined price. But there are several differences between the two in terms […]
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18 Nov '22Equity Compensation at Tech Companies
Continue readingRestricted Stock Units (RSUs), Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs), and Stock Options are all forms of commonly offered equity compensation at tech companies in the United States. Overview of Tech Firm’s Equity Compensation Methods RSUs are typically granted as a form of compensation to employees and are a promise to deliver company stock at […]
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23 Feb '22Amazon Doubles Pay Cap!
Continue readingAmazon is doubling down on its efforts to retain talent and attract new hires by increasing its cap on base cash compensation to $350,000, more than double the previous amount, according to an internal announcement. The company cited “a particularly competitive labor market” as the reason for the move, which was only for salaried corporate […]
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07 Dec '20Financial Rubbernecking – Part 1: Income
Continue readingTech employees – as a group – are highly-compensated. However, it may not feel that way given the high cost-of-living in many tech hubs like Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area. To keep grounded, every three years I look forward to the latest Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to remind us […]
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25 Sep '18
RSU Income & Mortgage Qualification – 2018
Continue readingWorking for a tech company—like Amazon—that uses Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as compensation, can limit your ability to qualify for the home mortgage you might desire. Luckily, more mortgage providers now accept income from RSUs in their qualification calculations, but it may take some advanced planning on your part. This change is likely based on […]
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11 Mar '18
How Do You Stack Up?
Continue readingEmployees at technology companies—as a group—are highly compensated. Nonetheless, it may not feel like it, given the high cost of living in tech hubs like Seattle or the San Francisco Bay Area. To keep grounded in reality, I look forward every three years to the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances for the latest […]
