1. What is an ESOP?

An ESOP, formally known as an employee stock ownership plan, is a tax-qualified retirement plan that invests primarily in the employer’s stock. The company sets aside stock each year in the ESOP to help employees prepare for retirement.

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2. What does an ESOP mean to me?

It means employees will be beneficial owners of the company at no cost, with equity in the company and retirement benefits. Non-management employees will not, however, participate in the management of the company, day-to-day decision-making, and hiring and firing decisions. The ESOP does not guarantee employment at the company.

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3. What is the purpose of an ESOP?

Owners have many options when selling their company. An ESOP is an effective tool for ownership succession-planning while also enabling employees to share in the company’s growth.

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4. How is an ESOP different from a company’s 401(k) plan?

There are two key differences between ESOPs and 401(k) plans. First, an ESOP invests primarily in an employer’s stock, while a 401(k) plan generally offers various mutual funds in which employees may invest funds. Second, 401(k) plans permit employees to contribute their own money toward the plan, while ESOP contributions generally come solely from the company – making them completely free to employees. Learn more.

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5. How is the price of the stock in the ESOP determined? How often is it valued?

The price of the stock in an ESOP is determined on an annual basis by a qualified valuation company working in conjunction with the plan’s trustee. These professionals specialize in determining the value of ESOP owned businesses. The value is based on several factors, including the company’s current and projected performance, the performance of similar publicly traded companies, the outlook for the industry and the geography within which the company operates, and the overall economic outlook.

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6. How often will my ESOP account balance change?

An ESOP account balance will usually change one time each year. Employees will receive an annual statement that provides the financial activity for the year, including the updated stock value. 

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7. How may employees help increase their ESOP account value?

Since the value of an ESOP account is based primarily on the value of the company’s stock, anything employees are able to do to help the company succeed and grow will also help ESOP account balances grow. Each employee’s part in this depends on his or her role in the company, but taking any actions to improve efficiency, cut expenses, or to increase revenue could increase the value of ESOP accounts. Employee owners can have an effect on building a better company and increasing its value.

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8. When can I access my ESOP balance?

Most ESOP plans provide the ability for employees to sell back a portion of their stock beginning at certain milestone dates and after having worked for the company at least ten years. These dates are usually age 55 and age 60 while you are working. Your remaining stock can be sold back over 5 years once you retire.

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9. Where is the employees' portion of the ESOP kept?

The assets of the ESOP – primarily company stock and cash – are held in the ESOP trust, a special entity established for the ESOP. Each employee’s portion of the ESOP assets is recorded in an ESOP account established under his or her name. 

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10. What is the role of an ESOP trustee?

The trustee controls the ESOP trust. He or she represents the plan participants and makes sure that the plan is operated in their best interests. The trustee also sets the annual price of the stock with the help of an independent valuation firm.