Understanding Your Google Compensation Package

Landing a job at Google is a tremendous accomplishment. The company is not only a dynamic industry leader, staffed by innovative, top-of-the-line professionals. It also offers incredible salaries and a world-class benefits package.

At Google, your total compensation is the sum of your base salary, bonuses, and RSU grants (dubbed GSUs by Google employees). Beyond that, Google offers some incredible benefits related to the Google 401(k), Health Savings Account (HSA) match, life insurance, and long-term disability.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) Match = $1k for individual plans and $2k for family plans
  • Tip: you must be in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to be able to participate in a Health Savings Plan (HSA). Due to the amazing tax advantages of the HSA account, we love to recommend this to clients, but that doesn’t mean it is right for everyone. Taking into consideration your providers, health needs, if you will be having a baby that year, etc. is very important. Here are some tips on choosing a health plan. 
  • Tip: The $1k and $2k employer contribution that Google offers counts towards the annual contribution limit of $4,150 for an individual and $8,300 for a family (+ $1k catch up if over 55).
• Life Insurance = 3x salary up to $789,000
  • Tip: Be sure to add beneficiaries to your Google life insurance policy so that it passes to the appropriate people if something happens to you.  
  • Tip: At Commas we will weigh if you need additional coverage – whether that is through voluntary coverage at Google or via the open market 
• Long-term Disability = 65% salary 
  • Tip: There is no income cap on this, so the benefit will grow as your salary does. This is a benefit that you pay for however, that means that the benefit is tax-free to you if you need to claim disability.  

You can find more details about your specific benefits in Moma. When you are hired—and each year during open enrollment—you will make your benefit selections via gBenefits. Here at Commas, we are happy to help you make those choices and review them annually.  

Maximizing Your Awards

Think of the mix of salary, RSUs, and benefits that comprise your compensation as distinctive sources of wealth. Each has unique properties—advantages, as well as limitations—that enable you to achieve particular goals.  

The team at Commas has an in-depth understanding of Google’s multi-level incentive structure, and we can help you navigate and optimize your specific compensation package.