This job perk is like a 'cash bonus' — but you need a long-term strategy, experts say

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When you receive equity compensation from an employer, it typically requires a comprehensive financial plan — and restricted stock units are no exception. In 2000, only 20% of public companies granted restricted stock or restricted stock units, primarily for senior executives or higher, according to the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals. That percentage, however, has jumped to 94%, and most public companies now extend grants to at least middle managers, the organization's most recent survey from 2021 found. From a tax perspective, "it's very similar to a cash bonus," said certified financial planner Chelsea Ransom-Cooper, chief financial planning officer for Zenith Wealth Partners in New York. More from Personal Finance: Here's what to know before opting into your employee stock purchase plan Incoming college students may owe $37,000 in loans by graduation, report finds The rise of the 'tradwife' — why some women say they are opting out of work However, once the shares vest, you'll have to decide whether to sell or continue holding company stock, she said. That could hinge on several factors, including your short- and long-term financial goals, how much company stock you already own and how you feel about the company's growth potential.