CompensationNov 28, 2018
AmazonRubySucks

Does Amazon expect you to sell your RSUs after your SignOn bonus end?

I'm an SDE in Canada, who got hired as an SDE-1 but just got recently promoted. I am slowly approaching my two-year mark, date when my sign on bonus will end, essentially leaving me with base salary + rsu vest. What bothers me is that after getting a decent raise of about 19%, including promotion salary bump and an yearly compensation review, my salary will still take a hit if I don't sell at least part of my RSUs. I wonder if this is the company's expectation with the RSUs representing such a big chunk of your TC. Maybe old farts at amazon can share some of your experiences? Is it common for people to receive raises high enough to account for the sign on bonus going away without having to sell rsus? TC: 127k CAD

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Amazon RubySucks OP Nov 28, 2018

CoL? Also, do we know what's the rsus vesting range for each role?

Amazon Ha5fg1q Nov 28, 2018

The purpose of the bonus(es) is to compensate for the slower vesting schedule over the first two years. Once the vesting hits it’s regular cadence, the bonuses no longer serve that purpose. The bonus structure is not there to bolster your take home pay until raises fill the gap. The advice I follow is to only consider my base pay when planning my annual expenditures and consider my RSUs as long term savings for other investments like real estate, retirement and portfolio diversification (which you might consider—not holding more than 20% of employer stock in your overall portfolio.)

Amazon Strn54 Nov 28, 2018

No, your raises won't cover the drop in your sign on bonus. Its not normal that it would. You should be able to live off of your base pay. RSU vesting should be looked at as a bonus ever time they vest.

Microsoft CrashOverr Nov 28, 2018

Are you stupid?

Amazon LEETCODE🙃 Nov 28, 2018

That 127k cad tc... RIP Thats equivalent to 95k USD

Amazon RubySucks OP Nov 28, 2018

RIP the cops dying in Seattle every year due to shootings. Gotta love the second amendment.

Amazon LEETCODE🙃 Nov 28, 2018

People die to whatever reasons all around the world including canada. When i was sde 2, my tc was almost double of yours. Just saying that you are missing out :)

Amazon ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ Nov 28, 2018

Regardless of your specific question, the wise thing to do is to sell all upon vest and diversify your investments.

Amazon iyth27 Nov 29, 2018

Your takeaway should be not to take your RSU income for granted when budgeting.