Separate Vested Shares, Unvested Awards and Options
A job change affects each form of equity differently. Vested shares are generally already delivered, unvested RSUs remain conditional, and options may have a shortened post-employment exercise window.
Read the grant agreement, plan rules and exit communication. A company policy summary is not a substitute for the governing documents.
Download Records Before Your Last Day
- Every grant agreement and vest schedule
- Vest confirmations and payslips showing perquisite treatment
- Broker statements, trade confirmations and dividend records
- Option exercise prices, expiry dates and post-termination window
- HR or stock-plan contact details for future questions
Rebuild the Career Runway Without Unvested Equity
Treat forfeitable awards as a possible future benefit, not as cash available for rent, EMIs or family goals. Recalculate the emergency fund using cash salary, liquid investments and the timing of the next role.
Review the Remaining Employer Stock
Leaving the company removes future salary dependency but does not remove concentration in vested shares. Decide whether the old employer stock still has a deliberate role, and coordinate any sale with tax lots, reporting and goal funding.
Review Salary, RSUs and Goals Together
Map employer equity, liquid investments and major goals in one portfolio view before the next vest, exercise or career move.
Sources Checked
Sources last reviewed .
- SEBI Investor: Factors to Consider Before Investing (opens in a new tab)
- Income Tax Department: Schedule FA, FSI and TR Guidance (opens in a new tab)
The article copy is original SoHo Wealth editorial content. Source links are cited for factual verification of rules, frameworks and public guidance.
This article is for education and portfolio discussion only. SoHo Wealth is a distributor, not a SEBI Registered Investment Advisor. Tax and legal outcomes depend on personal facts.