Estimated Severance Package
$0
Base Calculation:
—
Weekly Salary:
—
Weeks of Severance:
—
Total Severance:
—
Note: This is an estimate based on typical industry standards.
Your actual severance may vary based on your employment contract, company policy,
state laws, and negotiation. Always review your offer letter and consider consulting
with an employment attorney.
How Severance Pay Works
Severance pay is compensation some employers offer when terminating employment.
It's not legally required in most cases, but many companies provide it as part of their policy.
Common severance formulas:
- Tech companies: 2 weeks of pay per year of service
- Standard corporate: 1-2 weeks of pay per year of service
- Fortune 500: 2-4 weeks of pay per year of service (often more generous)
- Minimum baseline: Many companies offer at least 2-4 weeks regardless of tenure
- Age factor: Some companies add extra weeks for employees over 40
For example, if you worked at a tech company for 5 years with a $100,000 salary:
5 years × 2 weeks = 10 weeks of pay = $19,230
What's Typically Included in Severance
- Base pay: The weeks of salary calculated above
- Unused PTO: Your accrued vacation days (often paid separately)
- Prorated bonus: If you were eligible for an annual bonus
- Stock vesting: Some companies accelerate unvested equity
- Health insurance continuation: COBRA coverage or a few months paid
- Outplacement services: Career coaching, resume help, job search support
Always read your severance agreement carefully. It may require you to sign
a release of claims, non-compete, or confidentiality agreement.
Can You Negotiate Your Severance?
Yes, severance is often negotiable. Here's what you can try:
- Ask for more weeks: If the offer seems low compared to your tenure
- Extended health insurance: Request longer COBRA coverage
- Accelerated equity vesting: Especially if you're close to a vesting date
- Neutral reference: Ask for a positive reference letter
- Outplacement help: Career transition services can be valuable
- Remove restrictive clauses: Non-compete or non-solicitation agreements
Tip: Don't sign immediately. Take 2-3 days to review. If the package seems unfair,
politely counter-offer via email with specific requests.
Real Severance Examples (2024-2025)
Major tech companies that did layoffs recently:
- Google: Minimum 16 weeks + 2 weeks per year of service
- Meta: 16 weeks base + 2 weeks per year of service
- Amazon: Variable by tenure, typically 4-16 weeks
- Microsoft: Above-market severance (60 days notice + severance pay)
- Tesla: 1-2 months for most employees
- Salesforce: Minimum 5 months pay + health insurance
These are among the most generous packages. Smaller companies typically offer less,
but 1-2 weeks per year is still standard across most industries.