Is 401(k) vesting period an acceptable (or possible) negotiation point?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a 401(k) matching program be negotiated? If so, is this considered to be an acceptable line of negotiation for a senior management position, or is it considered a faux pas?
interviewing negotiation benefits
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a 401(k) matching program be negotiated? If so, is this considered to be an acceptable line of negotiation for a senior management position, or is it considered a faux pas?
interviewing negotiation benefits
2
If you are in a senior management position, you should be negotiating over stock not some trivial 3% match vesting. Additionally, negotiating over vesting terms makes it look like you are not in it for the long haul, which is a very bad thing to convey during negotiations.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 18:42
Good point, under some circumstances; but not every organization is publicly held. I'm considering all my options for negotiation and it's helpful to know what is likely to be in play vs. what is not.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 19:02
Even with privately held companies, there are still options for equity. As other have said, you will not get very far at all with trying to change the 401k matching period. There are far better options for negotiating a better compensation package. If you are looking for short term hits, which it seems you are since you are looking to shorten the vesting schedule, a sign on bonus might be more in line.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 19:21
1
Hey @Bill, comments are actually intended to seek clarification or help improve a post, not for answering the questions. Since your comments may be removed, you might consider using them as a basis for a solid answer. Please see What comments are not? for more details. Hope this helps.
– jmort253♦
Feb 15 '14 at 3:53
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a 401(k) matching program be negotiated? If so, is this considered to be an acceptable line of negotiation for a senior management position, or is it considered a faux pas?
interviewing negotiation benefits
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a 401(k) matching program be negotiated? If so, is this considered to be an acceptable line of negotiation for a senior management position, or is it considered a faux pas?
interviewing negotiation benefits
asked Feb 13 '14 at 16:15
Roger
7,17132644
7,17132644
2
If you are in a senior management position, you should be negotiating over stock not some trivial 3% match vesting. Additionally, negotiating over vesting terms makes it look like you are not in it for the long haul, which is a very bad thing to convey during negotiations.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 18:42
Good point, under some circumstances; but not every organization is publicly held. I'm considering all my options for negotiation and it's helpful to know what is likely to be in play vs. what is not.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 19:02
Even with privately held companies, there are still options for equity. As other have said, you will not get very far at all with trying to change the 401k matching period. There are far better options for negotiating a better compensation package. If you are looking for short term hits, which it seems you are since you are looking to shorten the vesting schedule, a sign on bonus might be more in line.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 19:21
1
Hey @Bill, comments are actually intended to seek clarification or help improve a post, not for answering the questions. Since your comments may be removed, you might consider using them as a basis for a solid answer. Please see What comments are not? for more details. Hope this helps.
– jmort253♦
Feb 15 '14 at 3:53
add a comment |Â
2
If you are in a senior management position, you should be negotiating over stock not some trivial 3% match vesting. Additionally, negotiating over vesting terms makes it look like you are not in it for the long haul, which is a very bad thing to convey during negotiations.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 18:42
Good point, under some circumstances; but not every organization is publicly held. I'm considering all my options for negotiation and it's helpful to know what is likely to be in play vs. what is not.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 19:02
Even with privately held companies, there are still options for equity. As other have said, you will not get very far at all with trying to change the 401k matching period. There are far better options for negotiating a better compensation package. If you are looking for short term hits, which it seems you are since you are looking to shorten the vesting schedule, a sign on bonus might be more in line.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 19:21
1
Hey @Bill, comments are actually intended to seek clarification or help improve a post, not for answering the questions. Since your comments may be removed, you might consider using them as a basis for a solid answer. Please see What comments are not? for more details. Hope this helps.
– jmort253♦
Feb 15 '14 at 3:53
2
2
If you are in a senior management position, you should be negotiating over stock not some trivial 3% match vesting. Additionally, negotiating over vesting terms makes it look like you are not in it for the long haul, which is a very bad thing to convey during negotiations.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 18:42
If you are in a senior management position, you should be negotiating over stock not some trivial 3% match vesting. Additionally, negotiating over vesting terms makes it look like you are not in it for the long haul, which is a very bad thing to convey during negotiations.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 18:42
Good point, under some circumstances; but not every organization is publicly held. I'm considering all my options for negotiation and it's helpful to know what is likely to be in play vs. what is not.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 19:02
Good point, under some circumstances; but not every organization is publicly held. I'm considering all my options for negotiation and it's helpful to know what is likely to be in play vs. what is not.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 19:02
Even with privately held companies, there are still options for equity. As other have said, you will not get very far at all with trying to change the 401k matching period. There are far better options for negotiating a better compensation package. If you are looking for short term hits, which it seems you are since you are looking to shorten the vesting schedule, a sign on bonus might be more in line.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 19:21
Even with privately held companies, there are still options for equity. As other have said, you will not get very far at all with trying to change the 401k matching period. There are far better options for negotiating a better compensation package. If you are looking for short term hits, which it seems you are since you are looking to shorten the vesting schedule, a sign on bonus might be more in line.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 19:21
1
1
Hey @Bill, comments are actually intended to seek clarification or help improve a post, not for answering the questions. Since your comments may be removed, you might consider using them as a basis for a solid answer. Please see What comments are not? for more details. Hope this helps.
– jmort253♦
Feb 15 '14 at 3:53
Hey @Bill, comments are actually intended to seek clarification or help improve a post, not for answering the questions. Since your comments may be removed, you might consider using them as a basis for a solid answer. Please see What comments are not? for more details. Hope this helps.
– jmort253♦
Feb 15 '14 at 3:53
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
If it is for a larger company, the vesting period may be a company-wide policy, spelled out in company documentation and handbooks, that they can't change per-employee. I've also found that the bigger and more corporate a company is, the less likely they are to budge on policy even for a top candidate or decision that could benefit the business.
If you're a valuable candidate, I feel like it's easier, from a policy standpoint alone, to give you a larger base, bonus, stock grant, vacation, etc, etc; than to change company-wide 401k policies.
5
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a
401(k) matching program be negotiated?
Anything can be negotiated.
Vesting/Matching periods are usually handled at a corporate-wide level though, and this sort of thing might be rather hard to pull off for the average candidate.
Certainly senior management can get away with far more than the average drone.
And certainly smaller companies can be much more flexible.
If the company is motivated enough, any exception can be granted.
4
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
401k rules are not entirely to the discretion of the company. Most of the fairness rules are there to make sure those on the top part of the salaries don't get preferential treatment. http://www.cpas-401k.com/401k-compliance-testing-rules.html
You being an exception to the vesting period could draw some attention from the IRS and your company wouldn't want the hassle.
Go ahead and ask. If they can't do it, they may just feel a higher starting salary is easier.
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
I think this is a good question; Others have pointed out that the company likely can't (or wouldn't if it somehow could) change this per employee.
It's too bad, though - Some vesting periods are god-awful. I was at an organization once that had a 6 year vesting period, and I wouldn't bother contributing to it the entire time I was at the organization, despite their many attempts to get employees to utiilze it.
A vesting period that's too long can keep employees from being motivated to contribute.
While you may not be able to convince them to alter the vesting period for you, you could certainly use it as leverage to ask for a higher salary.
This will benefit you; and more than likely will bring some attention to the issue for them as well. If candidates are regularly disappointed in their benefit plans and are negotiating for other things as a result, it will likely pressure them to improve their plan's benefits, matching, vesting schedules, etc.
add a comment |Â
StackExchange.ready(function ()
$("#show-editor-button input, #show-editor-button button").click(function ()
var showEditor = function()
$("#show-editor-button").hide();
$("#post-form").removeClass("dno");
StackExchange.editor.finallyInit();
;
var useFancy = $(this).data('confirm-use-fancy');
if(useFancy == 'True')
var popupTitle = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-title');
var popupBody = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-body');
var popupAccept = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-accept-button');
$(this).loadPopup(
url: '/post/self-answer-popup',
loaded: function(popup)
var pTitle = $(popup).find('h2');
var pBody = $(popup).find('.popup-body');
var pSubmit = $(popup).find('.popup-submit');
pTitle.text(popupTitle);
pBody.html(popupBody);
pSubmit.val(popupAccept).click(showEditor);
)
else
var confirmText = $(this).data('confirm-text');
if (confirmText ? confirm(confirmText) : true)
showEditor();
);
);
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
If it is for a larger company, the vesting period may be a company-wide policy, spelled out in company documentation and handbooks, that they can't change per-employee. I've also found that the bigger and more corporate a company is, the less likely they are to budge on policy even for a top candidate or decision that could benefit the business.
If you're a valuable candidate, I feel like it's easier, from a policy standpoint alone, to give you a larger base, bonus, stock grant, vacation, etc, etc; than to change company-wide 401k policies.
5
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
If it is for a larger company, the vesting period may be a company-wide policy, spelled out in company documentation and handbooks, that they can't change per-employee. I've also found that the bigger and more corporate a company is, the less likely they are to budge on policy even for a top candidate or decision that could benefit the business.
If you're a valuable candidate, I feel like it's easier, from a policy standpoint alone, to give you a larger base, bonus, stock grant, vacation, etc, etc; than to change company-wide 401k policies.
5
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
If it is for a larger company, the vesting period may be a company-wide policy, spelled out in company documentation and handbooks, that they can't change per-employee. I've also found that the bigger and more corporate a company is, the less likely they are to budge on policy even for a top candidate or decision that could benefit the business.
If you're a valuable candidate, I feel like it's easier, from a policy standpoint alone, to give you a larger base, bonus, stock grant, vacation, etc, etc; than to change company-wide 401k policies.
If it is for a larger company, the vesting period may be a company-wide policy, spelled out in company documentation and handbooks, that they can't change per-employee. I've also found that the bigger and more corporate a company is, the less likely they are to budge on policy even for a top candidate or decision that could benefit the business.
If you're a valuable candidate, I feel like it's easier, from a policy standpoint alone, to give you a larger base, bonus, stock grant, vacation, etc, etc; than to change company-wide 401k policies.
answered Feb 13 '14 at 16:50
Miro
2,83441626
2,83441626
5
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
add a comment |Â
5
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
5
5
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Not only that these are usually managed by a 3rd party investment firm. It may not even be possible to change the vesting schedule for an individual if they have a contract with the company.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 13 '14 at 17:26
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
Thanks, Miro and Chad. This is exactly what I was looking for.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 18:22
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a
401(k) matching program be negotiated?
Anything can be negotiated.
Vesting/Matching periods are usually handled at a corporate-wide level though, and this sort of thing might be rather hard to pull off for the average candidate.
Certainly senior management can get away with far more than the average drone.
And certainly smaller companies can be much more flexible.
If the company is motivated enough, any exception can be granted.
4
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a
401(k) matching program be negotiated?
Anything can be negotiated.
Vesting/Matching periods are usually handled at a corporate-wide level though, and this sort of thing might be rather hard to pull off for the average candidate.
Certainly senior management can get away with far more than the average drone.
And certainly smaller companies can be much more flexible.
If the company is motivated enough, any exception can be granted.
4
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a
401(k) matching program be negotiated?
Anything can be negotiated.
Vesting/Matching periods are usually handled at a corporate-wide level though, and this sort of thing might be rather hard to pull off for the average candidate.
Certainly senior management can get away with far more than the average drone.
And certainly smaller companies can be much more flexible.
If the company is motivated enough, any exception can be granted.
In American business, can the length of time before eligibility in a
401(k) matching program be negotiated?
Anything can be negotiated.
Vesting/Matching periods are usually handled at a corporate-wide level though, and this sort of thing might be rather hard to pull off for the average candidate.
Certainly senior management can get away with far more than the average drone.
And certainly smaller companies can be much more flexible.
If the company is motivated enough, any exception can be granted.
answered Feb 13 '14 at 16:48


Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
224k107661930
4
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
add a comment |Â
4
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
4
4
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
IANAA, but I believe that due to the federally controlled tax benefits of 401(k) programs, they need to be applied fairly across the set of employees. I believe there are even restrictions on participation by senior management based on general employee participation. Can't find the link I was viewing the other day, will post if I can find it. In the end, this may be one of the few things which isn't negotiable.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:46
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
For example, irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/…. deals with over participation by senior management.
– cdkMoose
Feb 13 '14 at 17:54
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
401k rules are not entirely to the discretion of the company. Most of the fairness rules are there to make sure those on the top part of the salaries don't get preferential treatment. http://www.cpas-401k.com/401k-compliance-testing-rules.html
You being an exception to the vesting period could draw some attention from the IRS and your company wouldn't want the hassle.
Go ahead and ask. If they can't do it, they may just feel a higher starting salary is easier.
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
401k rules are not entirely to the discretion of the company. Most of the fairness rules are there to make sure those on the top part of the salaries don't get preferential treatment. http://www.cpas-401k.com/401k-compliance-testing-rules.html
You being an exception to the vesting period could draw some attention from the IRS and your company wouldn't want the hassle.
Go ahead and ask. If they can't do it, they may just feel a higher starting salary is easier.
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
401k rules are not entirely to the discretion of the company. Most of the fairness rules are there to make sure those on the top part of the salaries don't get preferential treatment. http://www.cpas-401k.com/401k-compliance-testing-rules.html
You being an exception to the vesting period could draw some attention from the IRS and your company wouldn't want the hassle.
Go ahead and ask. If they can't do it, they may just feel a higher starting salary is easier.
401k rules are not entirely to the discretion of the company. Most of the fairness rules are there to make sure those on the top part of the salaries don't get preferential treatment. http://www.cpas-401k.com/401k-compliance-testing-rules.html
You being an exception to the vesting period could draw some attention from the IRS and your company wouldn't want the hassle.
Go ahead and ask. If they can't do it, they may just feel a higher starting salary is easier.
answered Feb 13 '14 at 17:50
user8365
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
I think this is a good question; Others have pointed out that the company likely can't (or wouldn't if it somehow could) change this per employee.
It's too bad, though - Some vesting periods are god-awful. I was at an organization once that had a 6 year vesting period, and I wouldn't bother contributing to it the entire time I was at the organization, despite their many attempts to get employees to utiilze it.
A vesting period that's too long can keep employees from being motivated to contribute.
While you may not be able to convince them to alter the vesting period for you, you could certainly use it as leverage to ask for a higher salary.
This will benefit you; and more than likely will bring some attention to the issue for them as well. If candidates are regularly disappointed in their benefit plans and are negotiating for other things as a result, it will likely pressure them to improve their plan's benefits, matching, vesting schedules, etc.
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
I think this is a good question; Others have pointed out that the company likely can't (or wouldn't if it somehow could) change this per employee.
It's too bad, though - Some vesting periods are god-awful. I was at an organization once that had a 6 year vesting period, and I wouldn't bother contributing to it the entire time I was at the organization, despite their many attempts to get employees to utiilze it.
A vesting period that's too long can keep employees from being motivated to contribute.
While you may not be able to convince them to alter the vesting period for you, you could certainly use it as leverage to ask for a higher salary.
This will benefit you; and more than likely will bring some attention to the issue for them as well. If candidates are regularly disappointed in their benefit plans and are negotiating for other things as a result, it will likely pressure them to improve their plan's benefits, matching, vesting schedules, etc.
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
I think this is a good question; Others have pointed out that the company likely can't (or wouldn't if it somehow could) change this per employee.
It's too bad, though - Some vesting periods are god-awful. I was at an organization once that had a 6 year vesting period, and I wouldn't bother contributing to it the entire time I was at the organization, despite their many attempts to get employees to utiilze it.
A vesting period that's too long can keep employees from being motivated to contribute.
While you may not be able to convince them to alter the vesting period for you, you could certainly use it as leverage to ask for a higher salary.
This will benefit you; and more than likely will bring some attention to the issue for them as well. If candidates are regularly disappointed in their benefit plans and are negotiating for other things as a result, it will likely pressure them to improve their plan's benefits, matching, vesting schedules, etc.
I think this is a good question; Others have pointed out that the company likely can't (or wouldn't if it somehow could) change this per employee.
It's too bad, though - Some vesting periods are god-awful. I was at an organization once that had a 6 year vesting period, and I wouldn't bother contributing to it the entire time I was at the organization, despite their many attempts to get employees to utiilze it.
A vesting period that's too long can keep employees from being motivated to contribute.
While you may not be able to convince them to alter the vesting period for you, you could certainly use it as leverage to ask for a higher salary.
This will benefit you; and more than likely will bring some attention to the issue for them as well. If candidates are regularly disappointed in their benefit plans and are negotiating for other things as a result, it will likely pressure them to improve their plan's benefits, matching, vesting schedules, etc.
answered Nov 25 '17 at 22:44
schizoid04
2,7073829
2,7073829
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f19259%2fis-401k-vesting-period-an-acceptable-or-possible-negotiation-point%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
2
If you are in a senior management position, you should be negotiating over stock not some trivial 3% match vesting. Additionally, negotiating over vesting terms makes it look like you are not in it for the long haul, which is a very bad thing to convey during negotiations.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 18:42
Good point, under some circumstances; but not every organization is publicly held. I'm considering all my options for negotiation and it's helpful to know what is likely to be in play vs. what is not.
– Roger
Feb 13 '14 at 19:02
Even with privately held companies, there are still options for equity. As other have said, you will not get very far at all with trying to change the 401k matching period. There are far better options for negotiating a better compensation package. If you are looking for short term hits, which it seems you are since you are looking to shorten the vesting schedule, a sign on bonus might be more in line.
– Bill Leeper
Feb 13 '14 at 19:21
1
Hey @Bill, comments are actually intended to seek clarification or help improve a post, not for answering the questions. Since your comments may be removed, you might consider using them as a basis for a solid answer. Please see What comments are not? for more details. Hope this helps.
– jmort253♦
Feb 15 '14 at 3:53