If a portion of your current compensation is tied to an annual bonus, equity compensation or deferred compensation plan, such as a retirement plan or stock option plan, you may have to forfeit those assets if they are not fully vested and, in the case of stock options, also unexercised, if you move on.
Knowing that you’re leaving assets on the table may give you leverage to negotiate with your future employer, says Taylor. On the other hand, if you’re exercising your vested stock options or taking a lump sum distribution from a retirement plan when you leave your old job, you’ll want to discuss with your financial advisor and tax professional how to manage them in the most tax-efficient way.