Restricted stock units are a way an employer can grant company shares to employees. The grant is “restricted” because it is subject to a vesting schedule, which can be based on length of employment or on performance goals, and because it is governed by other limits on transfers or sales that your company can impose.
What can you do with RSU stock?
Generally speaking, when your restricted stock units vest, you gain full rights and ownership to the value of the units. Often, the value is transferred to you in the form of shares of company stock. However, it is possible that your company can settle the value of the units with cash.
Can restricted stock be exercised?
RSUs do not have an “exercise price.” This means that employees that have RSUs, upon vesting, will receive normal shares of company stock at a defined fair market value. Vested RSUs are considered supplemental income in the year they vest and are subject to ordinary income taxes.
How do you value a restricted stock unit?
RSUs are assigned a fair market value at the time they become vested. In other words, if the company’s stock is valued at $20 per share at the time the RSU becomes vested, then the per-unit value of the RSUs is $20.
How are restricted stock units used in compensation?
Restricted stock units are a type of compensation in which a company gradually transfers shares to an employee. Depending on the performance of the company, restricted stock units can fluctuate in value. From a company’s perspective, restricted stock units can help employee retention by incentivizing employees to stay with the company long-term.
Can a company sell restricted stock to an employee?
Restricted stock cannot be sold by the grantee until the shares are vested. In nearly all cases, the company has the right to repurchase all unvested shares if the employee leaves the company prior to becoming vested. A person with a vested interest in restricted stock is considered a company shareholder.
What’s the difference between restricted stock and restricted stock awards?
Restricted Stock Units vs. Restricted Stock Awards. Two variations of restricted stock are restricted stock units (RSUs) and restricted stock awards. A restricted stock unit is a promise made to an employee by an employer to grant a given number of shares of the company’s stock to the employee at a predetermined time in the future.
What happens to restricted stock when it vests?
Vesting periods for Restricted Stock Awards may be time-based (a stated period from the grant date), or performance-based (often tied to achievement of corporate goals.) When a Restricted Stock Award vests, the employee receives the shares of company stock or the cash equivalent (depending on the company’s plan rules) without restriction.
