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Once you have received a job offer, that’s when the real negotiations begin. Requesting a higher salary and sign-on bonus is the easy part of the process. Figuring out how to secure the most beneficial equity compensation package is a bit more complicated.

Many employers expect prospective new hires to negotiate, especially in industries where the demand for talent is outstripping the supply. In this blog post, I will address the questions I hear most often from my clients when they are negotiating their salary and equity compensation for a new job. The best time to negotiate is at the time of hire. This will set the basis for your salary, annual bonus, as well as equity grants. This is also the time to discuss a potential severance package. 

Year-end financial planning for your stock compensation can be daunting, especially when we are experiencing volatile markets. 2022 was a year where inflation, interest rates and strong market volatility have been dominating headlines. Will this all change for the better in 2023? This is a question we can’t answer, and at the same time, we know markets are efficient and eventually there will be a recovery. Read more

The types of equity grants being offered these days are different than what was offered in the past. Ten or 15 years ago, the vast majority of grants were in the form of stock options. Today, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are much more common.

The continuous market volatility reminds us about the importance of portfolio diversification. It is one of the fundamental rules of investing not to sell when stock markets are down. At the same time, it is an excellent time to think about concentration of company stock and actions one should take when the time is right.

A Rule 10b5-1 trading plan is not exclusively for C-level employees anymore. In fact, if you work in biopharma, it is very likely that if you receive a stock option grant, you will have to use a 10b5-1 trading plan in order to be able to trade and sell your company stock. SEC regulations dictate your company’s insider trading policy and consider it a breach of your fiduciary duty if you trade your company stock based on material, nonpublic information.

On November 4, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-61, announcing cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for IRAs in 2022. Notably, the amount individuals can contribute to an IRA in 2022 remains unchanged at $6,000.

The attached table outlines all of the key changes to traditional and Roth IRA limits, eligibility, and deductibility rules for the upcoming year.

Yoga is an important part of my life. This stress-reducing exercise keeps me mentally focused and balanced. When the pandemic hit, my yoga studio adapted quickly and within a week they were livestreaming classes so that I could easily continue my weekly practice from the comfort of my home.

Because of the nature of their compensation packages, many corporate executives and employees develop concentrated positions in their employer’s stock. Often, these shares are subject to stringent SEC rules that restrict when they can be sold. A 10b5-1 trading plan offers shareholders greater leeway in selling their restricted shares while avoiding accusations of insider trading.

Most owners of concentrated positions understand the risks inherent in continuing to hold their shares. A significant drop in the price of the issue has the potential to inflict irreparable harm on a portfolio. One guaranteed solution to the problem is to sell the stock. But many owners are wary of the tax implications of implementing this simple strategy and are therefore hesitant to take action. Sometimes, however, the simplest option produces the best result. To determine whether an outright sale is an appropriate solution for reducing risk, let’s review the benefits and downside considerations associated with such action.