• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Call: (425) 577-0660 Client LoginSchedule NowContact

Financial Planning For Tech Professionals

  • About Us
    • Why We Do What We Do
    • Our Process & Strategy
    • Our Philosophy
    • Meet The Team
    • Our Custom Wealth Management
    • Pricing
  • Insights
    • Amazon
    • Salesforce
    • Oracle
    • Retirement Planning
    • Blog
  • What We Offer
    • Financial Planning
    • Compensation Planning
    • Salary Negotiation & Offer Evaluation
    • Cash Flow Planning
    • Tax Planning
    • Investment Advising
    • Estate Planning
  • Your Experience
    • How To Prepare For Your First Appointment.
    • Throughout Your Life
    • Our Onboarding Process
  • Tools & Resources
    • Investing Guides
      • The Ultimate Guide To Automating Your Finances
      • A Young Professionals Guide To Building Credit
      • The Comprehensive Guide To Estate Planning
      • The Ultimate Guide To Travelling the World Without Breaking The Bank
    • Masterclasses
    • Tax Planning Whitepaper
    • Retirement Planning Whitepaper
    • Retirement Planning Calculator
    • Budgeting Calculator
  • Testimonials

GOOGLE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: GOOGLE STOCK UNITS (GSUS)

Blog

GOOGLE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: GOOGLE STOCK UNITS (GSUS)

October 16, 2022 by Progress Wealth Management

Google Employee Benefits: Google Stock Units (GSUs) is an article that will explore one of the many benefits that Google offers its employees. This particular benefit is the Google Stock Unit, which is a way for employees to receive compensation in the form of company stock.

The article will go into detail about how GSUs work, how they are taxed, and how they can be used to help employees save for retirement. It will also provide some tips on how to maximize the benefits of this program.

What are Google Stock Units (GSUs)?

Google Stock Units (GSUs) are a type of stock that is offered to Google employees as a benefit. GSUs are subject to a 4-year vesting schedule and have no voting rights.

Google offers two types of stock units to its employees: restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options. RSUs are vested immediately, while options vest over a four-year period.

GSUs are similar to RSUs, in that they both represent an ownership stake in the company. However, GSUs don’t confer any voting rights, whereas RSUs do. GSUs also have a different vesting schedule than RSUs; specifically, they vest over a four-year period instead of immediately.

Like all forms of equity compensation, GSUs can be lucrative for employees if the company’s stock price increases over time. However, because they do not come with voting rights, GSUs may not be ideal for all employees. Those who place a high value on having a say in how the company is run may prefer RSUs or stock options.

How can Google Restricted Stock Units benefit employees?

Google Employee Benefits: Google Stock Units (GSUs) can benefit employees in a number of ways. For one, GSUs can help employees save for retirement. By contributing a portion of their pay to a GSU account, employees can receive matching contributions from Google, up to a certain percentage. This can result in substantial savings over time, especially if the stock price appreciates.

In addition, GSUs can provide employees with a sense of ownership in the company. As owners, employees may be more likely to feel invested in their work and be more motivated to contribute to the company’s success. Finally, owning GSUs can provide employees with financial security in the event that they are ever laid off or otherwise let go from Google. If the stock price has gone up since they purchased their units, they will be able to sell them for a profit and use the proceeds to help cover expenses during their transition period.

What are the disadvantages of Google Restricted Stock Units?

There are a few potential disadvantages of GSUs that you should be aware of before deciding whether or not to invest in them. First, the value of your GSUs will be directly tied to the performance of Google’s stock price. If the stock price goes down, so will the value of your units. Additionally, you will not be able to sell or trade your units until they vest, which could be up to four years after you receive them. Finally, there is always the risk that Google’s stock price could drop sharply and you could lose a significant amount of money.

Are GSUs a good investment?

If you’re a Google employee, you may be wondering if Google Stock Units (GSUs) are a good investment. After all, they’re one of the many benefits that Google offers its employees.

The short answer is that GSUs can be a good investment, but they’re not without risk. Like any stock, the value of GSUs can go up or down, and there’s no guarantee that they will always be worth more than the original purchase price.

However, there are some things to consider that make GSUs a bit more attractive as an investment than other stocks. First of all, Google is a large and successful company with a history of strong financial performance. This means that there’s less risk that the company will suddenly go bankrupt or experience some other major financial crisis.

Second, as a Google employee, you have “insider knowledge” about the company that other investors don’t have. This could give you an edge when it comes to making investment decisions about GSUs.

Finally, keep in mind that GSUs are just one piece of your overall financial picture. If you diversify your investments and don’t put all your eggs in one basket, you’ll be in a better position to weather any ups and downs in the value of your GSUs.

How to make the most out of Google Restricted Stock Units

Google offers all employees the opportunity to purchase and hold shares of Google stock, also known as Google Stock Units (GSUs). GSUs are a great way to invest in the future of Google and can be a valuable part of your overall compensation and benefits package.

Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your GSUs:

1. Understand the basics. GSUs are subject to vesting, meaning you will only own them after a certain period of time has passed. Google has a standard four-year vesting schedule for most grants, with a one-year cliff. This means that you will vest 1/4 of your grant after one year, and the remaining 3/4 after four years.

2. Consider your tax liability. When you vest or sell your GSUs, you may owe taxes on the gains. Be sure to consult with a financial advisor to understand the tax implications of owning GSUs.

3. Diversify your portfolio. While GSUs can be a great investment, it’s important to diversify your portfolio so that you’re not too reliant on any one stock. This will help reduce risk and keep you from incurring significant losses if the stock price decreases.

4. Monitor the stock price. Keep an eye on the stock price so that you know when is a good time to sell or exercise your options. You can do

Here are the top employee benefits that Google offers:

Google offers plenty of perks to its employees, but stock units are one of the most popular benefits. Google Stock Units (GSUs) are a big part of what makes working at Google so attractive to many people.

For those unfamiliar with GSUs, they are a form of equity compensation given to employees. When an employee is granted a GSU, they receive the right to purchase a certain number of Google shares at a set price (determined by the stock price at the time the GSU is granted). The employee can then hold on to these shares or sell them once they vest.

Vesting typically occurs over a four-year period, meaning that the employee will have to stay employed at Google for four years in order to fully vest their GSUs. However, there is also a cliff vesting schedule in place, which means that an employee will only vest a portion of their GSUs if they leave before the four-year mark.

The asking price for GSUs is usually set 10% below the current market value of Google shares. So, if Google shares are currently trading at $1,000 per share, an employee would be able to purchase their GSU shares for $900 each. This gives employees some upside potential should the stock price increase over time. And since GSUs are typically granted in addition to base salary and other forms of bonuses and compensation, they can be quite valuable.

BACKGROUND OF COMPANY STOCK UNITS, RSUS AND RSAS

Google Employee Benefits: Google Stock Units (GSUs)

As a public company, Google offers its employees a chance to own a piece of the company through stock units. Google employee benefits include access to RSUs and RSAs, which are two types of stock unit programs.

The GSU program is available to all full-time and part-time employees, as well as contractors working for Google. New hires are automatically enrolled in the program and can begin participating on their first day of work.

Once an employee enrolls in the program, they will receive an allocation of GSUs based on their position and salary. The number of GSUs an employee receives each year is determined by the Board of Directors and is typically worth around $15,000-$20,000.

The GSU program is designed to give employees a long-term incentive to stay with the company and help them build wealth over time. Employees can cash out their GSUs after they vest, which typically happens after four years of employment.

The RSA program is available to senior executives and managers at Google. Unlike the GSU program, RSAs do not vest immediately – instead, they vest over a period of four years. This means that execs and managers have a stronger incentive to stay with the company for the long term in order to fully vest their RSAs.

Conclusion

Overall, the Google Employee Benefits program seems to be a great way for employees to invest in their own future. With the company matching 50% of employee contributions, there is a real incentive to save as much as possible.

Additionally, the fact that employees can choose how their GSUS are invested gives them some control over their own financial future. We hope that this article has helped you understand more about the Google Employee Benefits program and how it can benefit you.

hero header placeholder

Make your plan to reach financial independence simpler and easier with Progress Wealth Management’s Help

Click Here To Schedule Your Free Icebreaker

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: arvada colorado, denver colorado, Financial Planning, google employee benefits, google employees, Google Stock Units, GSUs, how to invest, progress wealth management, Restricted Stock Units, RSUs

Copyright © 2023 · All Rights Reserved.
Progress Wealth Management • email us at blaine@progresswealthmanagement.com• Meet us at 12183 West 57th Ln Arvada, Colorado, United States of America 80002 • Hours Of Operation: 7AM - 7PM, Monday through Friday • Blaine Thiederman MBA, CFP®
[READ Privacy Policy] •
All content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. Nor is it intended to be a projection of current or future performance or indication or future results. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Progress Wealth Management and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation. Advisory services are offered by Progress Wealth Management an Investment Advisor in the State of Colorado. Being registered as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
• Progress Wealth Management is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.
• Securities offered through Charles Schwab & CO and Altruist Financial LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Progress Wealth Management Charles Schwab & CO and Altruist financial, LLC are separate entities, independently operated. The information contained herein should in no way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell or offer to sell advisory services to any residents of any State other than the State of Colorado or where otherwise legally permitted. Images and photographs are included for the sole purpose of visually enhancing the website. None of them are photographs of current or former Clients. They should not be construed as an endorsement or testimonial from any of the persons in the photograph. Purchases are subject to suitability. This requires a review of an investor’s objective, risk tolerance, and time horizons. Investing always involves risk and possible loss of capital.
[Website Design]

  • Homepage
  • Privacy Policy
  • Media Contacts and Resources
  • Business Continuity
  • Legal Information
  • Disclosures
  • Forms Center
  • FAQS
  • Locations Served

Subscribe

* indicates required