What is Severance Pay? Definition and how to calculate it

What is severance pay?

Severance pay is a financial compensation that employers may provide to employees when their employment contract ends, typically under circumstances like layoffs, job elimination, or involuntary separation.

The purpose of severance pay

The purpose of severance pay is twofold. Firstly, it serves as a financial cushion for the affected employees, assisting them during the transition period until they secure a new job. Secondly, it's a means for the employer to express gratitude for the employee's years of service and loyalty.

How does severance pay work?

Severance pay operates as a form of compensation provided to employees when they are terminated from their position under certain circumstances such as layoffs or job elimination. The company's obligation to pay severance and the amount offered can depend on a variety of factors, including the employee's position, their years of service, the reason for termination, and any applicable legal requirements.

Severance pay typically works by providing terminated employees with a lump sum or extended benefits over a specified period. The timeline for receiving severance pay can vary, but it is typically paid out soon after employment ends.

Useful Read: What is Statutory Redundancy Pay? A Guide for UK Employers

What is typically included in a severance package?

A severance package is a collection of benefits offered to employees upon their departure from a company. While severance pay is a key part of this package, it can also include several other components.

• Extended Benefits: These often cover health insurance and life insurance coverage for a specified period post-termination.

• Unused Paid Time: This can include accrued vacation time or sick days that the employee didn't use during their tenure.

• Career Counseling: Some companies offer career counseling or job placement assistance to help the laid-off employees find a new job.

• Additional Pay and Benefits: Depending on the company and the circumstances of the termination, a severance package might also include other benefits like additional pay, stock options, or non-disclosure agreement payoffs.

How is severance pay calculated?

While there's no universal formula for calculating severance pay, it's often determined based on a combination of factors such as an employee's years of service, their weekly rate or salary, and their role within the company. The size of the company and the industry they operate in can also influence the amount of severance pay offered.

Here is a standard approach many companies take to calculate severance pay:

1. Weeks of Pay: Typically, companies offer one to four weeks of an employee's normal wages as severance pay for each year they have worked at the company. This is usually mentioned in the employee's contract or in the company's policies.

2. Years of Service: The employer pays special attention to the number of years an employee has served in the company. This helps in determining the total amount of severance pay, as the weeks of pay are multiplied by the years of service.

3. Employee's Salary: The employer will calculate the weekly pay rate of the employee if the employee is salaried. For hourly employees, the weekly pay rate might be calculated based on the average number of hours worked per week.

It's important to note that severance pay is usually provided as a lump sum, and it is typically subject to taxes.

To illustrate this process, let's consider an example:

Alex has been employed at TechBase Corporation for 15 years. His current salary is $1200 per week. The company's policy offers two weeks of pay for each year of service in case of layoffs.

To calculate Alex's severance pay, the company multiplies his weekly salary ($1200) by two (weeks of pay per year of service) and then multiplies this result by the number of years he's worked there (15). Therefore, Alex would receive $1200 x 2 x 15 = $36,000 in severance pay, minus any applicable taxes.

This calculation illustrates a typical way severance pay might be calculated, though each company's approach may vary. It's always advisable to review the specific policies and contract terms provided by the employer to understand how severance pay would be calculated in your specific situation.

Employee scheduling and Time-tracking software!

• Easy Employee scheduling
• Clear time-tracking
• Simple absence management

Try for free Request a demo

When do companies offer severance pay?

Companies typically offer severance pay when an employee is involuntarily separated from the company. This can happen due to circumstances such as layoffs, downsizing, or job elimination. Severance pay is designed to provide a financial cushion to employees during their job transition and can act as an expression of gratitude for the employee's years of service.

Sometimes, companies might offer severance pay even in cases of voluntary separation or retirement, but this depends on the company's policies and the specific terms of the employment contract. Certain circumstances may lead to an employer choosing not to offer severance pay, such as cases involving employee misconduct or termination for cause.

Are companies required to pay severance pay?

While severance pay is a common practice in many industries, it's important to note that federal law in the United States does not generally require employers to offer severance pay. This means that, unless there is a specific contract or policy stating otherwise, companies are not legally obligated to provide severance pay upon the termination of an employee's contract.

However, certain states might have specific laws regarding severance pay. Furthermore, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act mandates that employers provide at least 60 days of notice prior to mass layoffs or plant closures, and this can include providing severance pay.

If an employer has a policy of providing severance pay or if it's stated in the employee's contract, they are legally bound to honor those commitments. Failure to do so can lead to legal action by the affected employees.

Is severance pay taxable?

Yes, severance pay is considered a form of income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and therefore, it is subject to income tax. It is not a gift or a windfall but compensation for your service to the company.

How much is severance pay taxed?

The tax on severance pay depends on your individual tax bracket, which is determined by your total income for the year. The amount of tax will be consistent with the rate applied to your regular wages. This means if you're in the 22% tax bracket, for instance, you'll owe 22% of your severance pay in federal income tax.

Bear in mind that, in addition to federal income tax, severance pay is also subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. Depending on the state you live in, state income tax may also apply.

How to calculate tax on severance pay

To calculate the tax on your severance pay, you should consider the following steps:

1. Determine Your Income Tax Bracket: You can find the current federal income tax brackets on the IRS website. Your tax bracket will depend on your total income and filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.).

2. Calculate Federal Income Tax: Multiply your severance pay by the percentage of your tax bracket. For example, if your severance pay is $30,000 and you're in the 22% tax bracket, your federal income tax would be $6,600.

3. Factor in Social Security and Medicare Taxes: These taxes combined amount to 7.65% (as of the time of this writing). So, for a severance pay of $30,000, an additional $2,295 would be deducted for Social Security and Medicare.

4. Consider State Income Tax: Depending on your state, you may need to deduct additional amounts for state income tax.

Severance pay and unemployment

Navigating the intersection of severance pay and unemployment benefits can be intricate for employees who have been involuntarily separated from their roles. Severance pay, often offered in lump sum or extended benefits over a period, provides a financial safety net during this transition. However, the nature of this payout may affect the timing and eligibility for unemployment benefits.

For instance, if the severance package is structured as a monthly payout, it may postpone the commencement of unemployment benefits. Similarly, if an employee uses accrued vacation time to end formal employment or signs a non-disclosure agreement indicating voluntary departure, it could impact their ability to claim unemployment benefits.

Yet, receiving severance pay does not necessarily preclude one's right to unemployment benefits. Employees who are laid off or terminated without cause may still qualify for these benefits post their severance period. Ultimately, the terms of severance and the state-specific unemployment rules will guide this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much is severance pay?

  The amount of severance pay varies based on the company's policies, the employee's position, and the length of service. A common formula is to offer one to two weeks of pay for each year of service. However, the exact amount can differ based on the specifics of each situation.

• Does severance pay affect unemployment benefits?

  In some states, receiving severance pay may temporarily delay the start of unemployment benefits. However, it generally doesn't disqualify you from receiving benefits entirely. Rules can vary by state, so it's crucial to check with your state's unemployment insurance agency.

• How long does it take to get severance pay?

  The timeline for receiving severance pay can depend on the company's policies. Typically, it might be paid in a lump sum shortly after termination or in regular pay periods following the end of employment. It's best to check with the HR department for specifics.