As ofwe at the National Center for Employee Ownership NCEO estimate there are roughly 7, employee stock ownership plans ESOPs covering about 14 million employees.

Since the beginning of the 21st century there has been a decline in the number of plans but an increase in the number of participants.

There also are about 2, profit sharing and stock bonus plans that are substantially invested in company stock and are like ESOPs in other ways. In addition, we estimate that roughly 9 million employees participate in plans that provide stock options or other individual equity to most or all employees. Up to 5 million participate in k plans that are primarily invested in employer stock.

As many as 11 million employees buy shares in their employer through employee stock purchase plans. Eliminating overlap, we estimate that approximately 28 million employees participate in an employee ownership plan.

These numbers are estimates, but are probably conservative. Although other plans now have substantial assets, most of the estimated 4, majority employee-owned companies have ESOPs.

About two-thirds of ESOPs are used to provide a market for the shares of a departing owner of a profitable, closely held company. Most of the remainder are used either as a supplemental employee benefit plan or as a means to borrow money in a tax-favored manner. In contrast, stock option or other equity compensation plans are used primarily in public firms as an employee benefit and in rapidly growing private companies. A Rutgers study found that ESOP companies grow 2.

Companies that combine employee ownership with employee workplace participation programs show even more substantial gains in performance. Note, however, that participation plans alone have little impact on company performance.

How an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Works

These NCEO data have been confirmed by several subsequent academic studies that find both the same direction and magnitude of results. Companies set up a trust fund for employees and contribute either cash to buy company stock, contribute shares directly to the plan, or have the plan borrow money to buy shares. If the plan borrows money, the company makes contributions to the plan to enable it to repay the loan.

Contributions to the plan are tax-deductible. Employees pay no tax on the contributions until they receive the stock when they leave or retire.

They then either sell it on the market or back to the company. S corporations can have ESOPs as well. Earnings attributable to the ESOP's ownership share in S corporations are not taxable. In other plans, approximately employers partially match employee k contributions with contributions of employer stock.

Employees can also choose to invest in employer stock. In stock option and other individual equity plans, companies give employees the right to purchase shares at a fixed price for a set number of years into the future.

Do not confuse stock options with U. ESOPs; in India, for example, employee stock option plans are called "ESOPs," but the U.

How an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Works

ESOP has nothing to do with stock options. Participants in ESOPs do well. People in the plan for many years would crude oil price in dollar history much larger balances. ESOPs can be found employee stock options esop all kinds of sizes of companies.

Some of the more notable majority employee-owned companies are Publix Super MarketsemployeesLifetouch 21, employeesW.

Gore and Associates maker of Gore-Tex, 10, employeesand Davey Tree Expert 8, employees. Companies with ESOPs and other broad-based employee ownership plans account for well over half of Fortune Magazine's " Best Companies to Work for in America" list year after year. Our main Web site at nceo. Below are links to selected articles and publications that elaborate on concepts presented in the article on this page.

The National Center for Employee Ownership NCEOfounded inis a private, nonprofit membership and research organization that serves as the leading source of accurate, unbiased information on ESOPs, equity compensation plans such as stock options, and ownership culture. A nonprofit membership organization providing unbiased information and research on broad-based employee stock plans.

Employee Stock Option (ESO)

ESOP Employee Stock Ownership Plan Facts As ofwe at the National Center for Employee Ownership NCEO estimate there are roughly 7, employee stock ownership plans ESOPs covering about 14 million employees. Major Uses of ESOPs About two-thirds of ESOPs are used to provide a market for the shares of a departing owner of a profitable, closely held company. Employee Ownership and Corporate Performance A Rutgers study found that ESOP companies grow 2. How ESOPs Work Companies set up a trust fund for employees and contribute either cash to buy company stock, contribute shares directly to the plan, or have the plan borrow money to buy shares.

ESOPs or Stock Options: Which Will Work for Your Company?, Tax Strategies Article | xelenew.web.fc2.com

How Employees Fare Participants in ESOPs do well. Examples of Major ESOP Companies ESOPs can be found in all kinds of sizes of companies. For More Information Our main Web site at NCEO. Articles on ESOPs and equity compensation Dozens of Webinars and in-person meetings on ESOPs Dozens of publications on ESOPs, equity compensation, and ownership culture Speaking and introductory consulting services See our home page for more ESOP resources.