Leaving with a package? Let's plan what comes next.
For people who have accepted a buyout, been laid off, or hold stock in a company about to go public. Fee-only advice to help you keep more of it and use it well.
- Fee-onlyFiduciary, no commissions
- CFP®Certified Financial Planner™
- Rising StarFinancial-Planning.com, 2026
- NationwideVirtual meetings
How do you plan after a severance, buyout, or IPO?
Start before the money arrives. Confirm how your package pays out and what happens to unvested stock, choose health coverage, and decide which tax year your income should land in. If your company is going public, learn your lockup and exercise dates, set aside enough for taxes, and plan how much to diversify. A fee-only fiduciary can coordinate these decisions with your CPA so you keep more of what you earned.
Choose your situation to see the next steps.
Four areas we cover with you.
Package & benefits review
Lump sum or installments, health coverage, 401(k) and pension choices.
Equity strategy
Unvested shares, exercise decisions, lockups, and concentrated stock.
Tax timing
Which year income lands in and withholding gaps, coordinated with your CPA.
Income for what's next
Runway for a pause, a new role, a venture, or an early retirement.
Year-end closings and IPO dates come quickly. The earlier we talk, the more options you have.
Tell us about your package or stock.
Share a few details and we will be in touch. Prefer to pick a time? Book a visit.
Severance, buyout and IPO questions
I accepted a buyout that closes at year end. What should I do first?
Before the final paycheck, confirm how the package is paid (lump sum or installments), what happens to unvested equity, your health coverage options, and how the payout interacts with this year's and next year's taxes. Timing decisions made in the last weeks of the year can matter.
My company is preparing to go public. When should I plan?
Ideally before the offering. Lockup periods, exercise windows, and tax elections narrow your choices once trading begins. A plan made early lets you decide how much to hold, how much to diversify, and what to set aside for taxes.
Is severance taxed differently than salary?
Severance is generally taxed as ordinary income, and withholding on a lump sum may not match what you will actually owe. We coordinate with your CPA so there are no surprises in April.
Should I take a lump sum or installments?
It depends on your tax bracket this year and next, your cash needs, and whether you plan a gap before your next role. Splitting income across two tax years can lower the total tax owed. We model both options before you choose.
What happens to my unvested RSUs or stock options?
Many packages forfeit unvested shares, while some accelerate vesting or extend exercise windows. Your separation agreement and equity plan documents spell this out, and we help you read them before you sign.
How should I handle a concentrated stock position after an IPO?
Holding too much of one company ties your income and your savings to the same outcome. We build a schedule to diversify over time, balancing taxes, lockup dates, and your confidence in the company.
Should I roll my 401(k) to an IRA after leaving?
Sometimes. Rolling over can widen investment choices and simplify accounts, but leaving it in place can be better in certain cases, such as retiring at 55 or holding company stock eligible for special tax treatment. We review it with you.
Do you sell products or earn commissions?
No. deMAURIAC is a fee-only fiduciary. Our advice is paid for by you alone, and we are obligated to act in your best interest.
Can you help if I live outside Louisiana?
Yes. We meet virtually and work with clients across the country.
Your decisions have deadlines. Let's meet before they pass.
deMAURIAC is not affiliated with or endorsed by any employer. This page is educational and is not individualized tax or legal advice.