How do RSU grants work?
Restricted stock units are issued to employees through a vesting plan and distribution schedule after they achieve required performance milestones or upon remaining with their employer for a particular length of time. RSUs give employees interest in company stock but no tangible value until vesting is complete.
What does it mean when a stock is restricted?
Restricted stock refers to unregistered shares of ownership in a corporation that are issued to corporate affiliates, such as executives and directors. Restricted stock is non-transferable and must be traded in compliance with special Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations.
What happens when your restricted stock grant vests?
Generally speaking, when your RSUs vest, you gain full rights and ownership to the value of the units. To cover the income tax need, you may do a net exercise, cashless exercise, or cash exercise. You may still owe additional tax at the end of the year, depending on your specific tax returns.
What happens when you accept a stock grant?
What does accepting a stock grant mean? The rules behind stock grants indicate that it's equity compensation, which is free. The employee isn't obligated to purchase this stock to accept it. An employee isn't required to pay for this stock when they accept it, as this is 'gifted' by the business.
Can you cash out restricted stock?
If you're granted RSUs, you get to essentially own company shares without putting any money down (unlike when you are exercising stock options). So, when is the best time to sell your RSUs? If your company is public, the best thing to do is to cash them out as soon as they vest.
What is better stock options or restricted stock?
Plus, restricted shares represent actual shares given to you. You don't have to buy them. Stock options involve more effort because you must exercise them and buy the underlying shares. There can be different tax implications, as well.
Is it better to take RSU or stock options?
Stock options are only valuable if the market value of the stock is higher than the grant price at some point in the vesting period. Otherwise, you're paying more for the shares than you could in theory sell them for. RSUs, meanwhile, is pure gain, as you don't have to pay for them.
How are RSUs paid out?
You typically receive the shares after the vesting date. Only then do you have voting and dividend rights. Companies can and sometimes do pay dividend equivlent payouts for unvested RSUs.
Are RSUs good?
RSUs are appealing because if the company performs well and the share price takes off, employees can receive a significant financial benefit. This can motivate employees to take ownership. Since employees need to satisfy vesting requirements, RSUs encourage them to stay for the long term and can improve retention.