Performance-based compensation vs. share-based compensation

Other employee benefits

• Fixed and Predictable: These plans, such as retirement plans (e.g., 401(k)), health insurance, and pension plans, provide employees with predetermined benefits that are not linked to the company’s stock price.
• Income and Welfare: Other employee benefit plans primarily focus on an employees’ financial well-being and welfare. They aim to provide retirement security, healthcare coverage and other essential benefits.
• Tax-Advantaged: Some employee benefit plans offer tax advantages, such as tax-deferred contributions to retirement plans or tax-deductible employer contributions. Tax treatment highly depends on the specific design of the plan.
• Accounting Treatment: Accounting for employee benefit plans focuses on recording employer contributions and benefits accrued by employees over time. It does not involve recognizing expenses tied to fluctuations in the company’s stock price.
• Company Contributions: In many cases, employers make contributions to these benefit plans, and employees may also contribute from their salaries.
• Fixed Contributions: Contributions to retirement plans and health insurance are typically fixed and not tied to the company’s performance or stock price.
• Regular Payouts: Benefits from these plans are usually paid out periodically, such as monthly pension payments, annual bonuses, or healthcare coverage.

Share-based payment

• Equity Ownership: Share-based compensation plans typically grant employees the opportunity to acquire ownership in the company. They usually come in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (RSU) or PSUs.
• Alignment with Company Performance: These plans are often designed to align employee interests with the long-term success and performance of the company. Employees benefit when the company’s stock price increases.
• Variable and Performance-Linked: The value of share-based compensation can vary based on the company’s stock price or performance. Employees may realize significant gains if the company performs well.
• Vesting and Cliff Vesting: Share-based awards are subject to vesting schedules, with employees gaining ownership rights over time. Some plans include cliff vesting, where a significant portion vests after a specific period.
• Tax Treatment: Taxation of share-based compensation can be complex. The tax consequences depend on the type of award, timing of exercise or sale, and applicable tax laws.
• Accounting Treatment: Share-based compensation is recognized as an expense on the company’s financial statements. It is impacting the company’s income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
• Liquidity Event: Employees typically benefit from share-based compensation when there is a liquidity event, such as an IPO or acquisition. These events allow them to convert their equity into cash.