Severance Package Save PPR For Free

You can reduce your tax bill by directing your severance package to an IRA. Consider putting some of your severance into an HSA if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan. Ask your employer if the company can pay you out over two years. You can use some of the money from your package to fund a 529 plan.

The severance pay offered is typically one to two weeks for every year worked, but can be more.The general practice is to try to get four weeks of severance pay for each year worked. Middle managers and executives usually receive a higher amount. Some executives, for example, may receive pay for more than a year.

Mistake #4: Not Consulting With an Attorney But if you believe you are the victim of your employer's illegal conduct, or if your severance package includes a significant amount of severance pay and benefits, it is probably worth reviewing your agreement with an attorney.

In addition, severance payments are classified as "supplemental wages" for income tax purposes. Employers must withhold income tax from such payments at a flat 22% rate and pay the money to the IRS.

Some employers choose to offer severance pay to employees who are terminated, either involuntarily or voluntarily. The primary reasons for offering a severance package are to soften the blow of an involuntary termination and to avoid future lawsuits by having the employee sign a release in exchange for the severance.

Accordingly, you would divide your yearly salary by 52 to get the weekly pay rate. Then, multiply this pay rate by the number of weeks. If you earn $39,000 a year, then you make $750 a week. If you worked for the company for 10 years, then you would get $7,500 in severance.

Understand the components of a severance package. Wait before signing paperwork. Read everything carefully. Get an expert opinion. Understand your priorities. Negotiate for more than money. Decide on a reasonable request. Leverage your success.