Microsoft College Careers - Perks and Benefits

Perks and Benefits

Is it a Benefits Package or a Goodie Bag?

To help you stay healthy and moving forward in your life, we offer one of the most comprehensive, flexible benefits packages in the industry. Don't believe us? Check out this perks video our Interns produced.

“I got a job in graphics which gives me 100% medical coverage, free soda, transportation and a luxury work out facility.”

- Chris, Software Development Engineer, Office Graphics

From flex time to tuition reimbursement, we offer a long list of goodies, including:

Perks
Training & Development
Compensation
Healthcare
Investment Programs

Perks
Let’s cut to the chase. Yes, we offer must-haves like full healthcare coverage. But to us, free soda is important, too. Critical, even. Here are some of the cool and why-didn’t-I-think-of-that perks you’ll get just for working at Microsoft.

• Free beverages. No kidding—all the free soda, coffee, juice, and milk you can drink. We even have Starbucks® coffee in our kitchenettes.
• Awesome cafeterias. No need to go off campus for lunch—local restaurant chains are serving up the good stuff right here where you need them.
• P.R.I.M.E. discounts. Get discounts on brand-name products and local services, from ballet tickets to motorcycle repair.
• Time off. Starting your first year, you’ll have 15 paid vacation days, 10 paid sick-leave days, eight paid U.S. holidays, and two paid discretionary personal holidays.
• Relocation. If you have to move to begin your Microsoft career, you may be eligible for help with everything from packing and moving your stuff to temporary housing and a rental car.
• Discounts on software and hardware. Enjoy substantial discounts on Microsoft products at the company store.
• Credit union. Open a checking account, get a bank card, and enjoy competitive interest rates at the First Technology Credit Union.
• Discounted financial services. Take advantage of banking, brokerage, and financial planning and education services at special discounted rates.
• Stay-fit program. Sign up for a paid health-club membership (where available) or receive taxable income you can apply toward your own health-and-fitness program. (Seattleites favor the Pro Sports Club.)
• Counseling. If you ever need guidance from a skilled counselor, Microsoft will provide confidential counseling services for you and/or eligible family members.
• Office ergonomics consultation. Get help with furniture and equipment configurations to keep you healthy while you work.
• Microsoft art collection. Enjoy a contemporary art collection comprising approximately 4,000 works displayed throughout the company's facilities.
• And more. You’ll also enjoy flexible work hours, freedom to dress as you choose (within reason), a team “morale budget” (a longstanding Microsoft tradition), product launch parties, and the annual Microsoft company meeting and picnic.

Training & Development
Yes, Microsoft offers a tuition reimbursement program. We are definitely in favor of continued education. After all, just because you’ve earned your diploma doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. Here are some of the resources available to you as a Microsoft employee:

• Tuition and textbook reimbursement for approved work-related courses
• Career development planning in consultation with your manager
• Microsoft Technical Education courses
• Microsoft Library
• Management and professional development courses
• IT learning site
• Microsoft Training and Certification programs

Compensation
If you come on board, you’ll receive a competitive salary, annual performance-based bonuses, and merit pay increases based on favorable annual performance reviews. In addition, you may be eligible to earn shares of Microsoft stock. You’ll get all the details when we make you an offer.

Healthcare
You’re young, you’re strong, but you’re probably not indestructible. So you’ll be happy to learn that Microsoft offers one of the most highly recognized, extensive health plans in the country. In fact, Fortune said it's, “what may be the most generous health-insurance plan in America”. Check out what we provide:

• Medical & hospitalization. Unlimited lifetime maximum health coverage, the most unique aspect being 100% coverage, 100% prescriptions drugs, and zero deductible. This is more than many other companies offer.
• Vision care. One annual eye exam and reimbursement for one pair of glasses or contacts per calendar year.
• Dental care. Choose between a basic plan or a plan that covers more—including orthodontic services.
• 24-hour health line. Receive useful, easy-to-understand information 24x7 to help you make sound healthcare decisions.
• Additional benefits. Enhance your benefits package with life insurance, disability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group legal coverage, and dependent and healthcare flexible spending accounts.

Investment Programs
Begin to lay a foundation now for freedom in your future. To help you set and meet financial goals, we offer:

• Savings Plus 401(k) Plan. Defer your pre-tax income up to 50 percent of your eligible compensation (within the IRS maximum). Microsoft matches 50 cents on every dollar you defer pre-tax up to a pre-tax contribution rate of 6 percent, excluding catch-up contributions, for a maximum matching contribution of 3 percent of your eligible compensation. You can also contribute up to 7 percent of your eligible compensation on an after-tax basis.
• Employee stock purchase plan. Each quarter, purchase Microsoft stock at a 10 percent discount off the market price during a defined purchase period.
• Goal planner investment program. Save money from your after-tax (net) pay for anticipated future expenses. Benefit from your own personal discount brokerage account, direct investment deposits through payroll deduction, and financial planning tools.

•	Free beverages. No kidding—all the free soda, coffee, juice, and milk you can drink. We even have Starbucks® coffee in our kitchenettes.
•	Awesome cafeterias. No need to go off campus for lunch—local restaurant chains are serving up the good stuff right here where you need them.
•	P.R.I.M.E. discounts. Get discounts on brand-name products and local services, from ballet tickets to motorcycle repair.
•	Time off. Starting your first year, you’ll have 15 paid vacation days, 10 paid sick-leave days, eight paid U.S. holidays, and two paid discretionary personal holidays.
•	Relocation. If you have to move to begin your Microsoft career, you may be eligible for help with everything from packing and moving your stuff to temporary housing and a rental car.
•	Discounts on software and hardware. Enjoy substantial discounts on Microsoft products at the company store.
•	Credit union. Open a checking account, get a bank card, and enjoy competitive interest rates at the First Technology Credit Union.
•	Discounted financial services. Take advantage of banking, brokerage, and financial planning and education services at special discounted rates.
•	Stay-fit program. Sign up for a paid health-club membership (where available) or receive taxable income you can apply toward your own health-and-fitness program. (Seattleites favor the Pro Sports Club.)
•	Counseling. If you ever need guidance from a skilled counselor, Microsoft will provide confidential counseling services for you and/or eligible family members.
•	Office ergonomics consultation. Get help with furniture and equipment configurations to keep you healthy while you work.
•	Microsoft art collection. Enjoy a contemporary art collection comprising approximately 4,000 works displayed throughout the company's facilities.
•	And more. You’ll also enjoy flexible work hours, freedom to dress as you choose (within reason), a team “morale budget” (a longstanding Microsoft tradition), product launch parties, and the annual Microsoft company meeting and picnic.

•	Tuition and textbook reimbursement for approved work-related courses
•	Career development planning in consultation with your manager
•	Microsoft Technical Education courses
•	Microsoft Library
•	Management and professional development courses
•	IT learning site
•	Microsoft Training and Certification programs

•	Medical & hospitalization. Unlimited lifetime maximum health coverage, the most unique aspect being 100% coverage, 100% prescriptions drugs, and zero deductible. This is more than many other companies offer.
•	Vision care. One annual eye exam and reimbursement for one pair of glasses or contacts per calendar year.
•	Dental care. Choose between a basic plan or a plan that covers more—including orthodontic services.
•	24-hour health line. Receive useful, easy-to-understand information 24x7 to help you make sound healthcare decisions.
•	Additional benefits. Enhance your benefits package with life insurance, disability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group legal coverage, and dependent and healthcare flexible spending accounts.

•	Savings Plus 401(k) Plan. Defer your pre-tax income up to 50 percent of your eligible compensation (within the IRS maximum). Microsoft matches 50 cents on every dollar you defer pre-tax up to a pre-tax contribution rate of 6 percent, excluding catch-up contributions, for a maximum matching contribution of 3 percent of your eligible compensation. You can also contribute up to 7 percent of your eligible compensation on an after-tax basis.
•	Employee stock purchase plan. Each quarter, purchase Microsoft stock at a 10 percent discount off the market price during a defined purchase period.
•	Goal planner investment program. Save money from your after-tax (net) pay for anticipated future expenses. Benefit from your own personal discount brokerage account, direct investment deposits through payroll deduction, and financial planning tools.