There are a bevy of benefits to which you should pay attention when you apply for a job: the company’s health care package, its annual leave policy, an ability to work from home—and, of course, its pension offerings and other financial benefits, things that set you up for success now and in the future. (With a combination of a stellar retirement plan and stock options, for example, you can literally retire a millionaire, no matter your salary.) These nine companies offer killer retirement plans or other perks, such as stock options and flexible savings accounts, that will help you financially long after you’ve stopped working. Check them out and get your CV ready.
Pension and other benefits: “We want Amazon employees to think like owners, and awarding equity provides an ownership opportunity to employees,” according to Amazon’s website. “Therefore, eligible employees receive Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) from Amazon.com Inc. as part of our global compensation model. All Amazon employees participate directly in the success of the entire company.” Amazon also offers a savings plan and income protection.
Where Hiring: London, Stoke-on-Trent, South Yorkshire, Cambridge, and more.
What Employees Say: “Hard work, but very rewarding, both monetarily and emotionally. Great colleagues, all working towards the SAME results.” — Current Employee
Pension and other benefits: According to Accenture’s website, employees can purchase company stock at a 15 percent discount. Plus, Accenture offers flexible spending accounts, which allow employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to save for health care and other needs.
Where Hiring: London, Chesterfield, Manchester, Newcastle Upon Tyne, and more.
What Employees Say: “Great place to start your career. High pressure, full of mainly bright and interesting people. Good HR and other types of services to support you. Good pay and benefits.” — Former Employee
Pension and other benefits: “Oracle's Employee Stock Purchase Plan lets you purchase Oracle common stock at a discounted market price,” according to its website. Plus, Oracle offers a commuter benefit program, which “allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible public transportation and/or parking expenses—up to the monthly pre-tax maximum through convenient payroll deductions.” Lastly, as one former employee describes on Glassdoor, “benefits are based upon a point system where you can pick and choose from a wide range of benefits … and convert the points into cash and contribute them to your pension.”
Where Hiring: London, Brighton, Reading, Sheffield, Bristol, Solihull, and more.
What Employees Say: “Broad range of solutions and very much a sales-led organisation. Sales people well rewarded and are respected as important individuals.” — Former Employee
Pension and other benefits: “All full-time and part-time associates in the U.S. are eligible to participate in the non-qualified Capital One Associate Stock Purchase Plan,” Capital One writes on its website. Plus, “Capital One offers a wide variety of special programs and promotional discounts that benefit you and your wallet.”
Where Hiring: Nottingham, London, and more.
What Employees Say: “Motivated and smart team of business analysts, opportunity to work on projects which make an impact on customers, open culture, good work life balance.” — Current Employee
Pension and other benefits: “All partners receive something called Bean Stock, which is a scheme that makes all our partners shareholders in the business,” according to Starbucks’ website.”In addition, all partners have access to a pension scheme, which can grow with you as you go on your career journey with Starbucks. We also regularly benchmark our salaries to ensure our pay and benefits stay competitive—so that you're not tempted to go elsewhere. Your benefits might also include bonuses and team awards.”
Where Hiring: Leeds, London, Uttoxeter, and more.
What Employees Say: “It was on this company where I developed my customer-service experience, as well as where I have got into a very interesting brand culture and values.” _ Current Employee
Pension and other benefits: According to reviews left on Glassdoor, even part-time employees have access to Apple’s pension plan. And it sounds like it’s quite the deal. One reviewer wrote, “[The] pension is a good deal here—possibly the best I have seen. This is by far the best benefit Apple offers.”
Where Hiring: London and throughout the United Kingdom.
What Employees Say: “Very structured and organized. Great for teamwork in software development. Very high standards.” — Former Employee
Pension and other benefits: “Our Total Rewards programme includes competitive base pay and benefits, and the chance to earn an annual bonus based on performance,” according to Hewlett Packard’s website. “It also includes recognition for your contributions, and potential participation in long-term incentives like annual equity awards. Other benefits vary from country to country, but in general, you can expect a broad range of benefits including subsidised health insurance, retirement programmes and paid time off.”
Where Hiring: Birmingham, Bracknell, London, and more.
What Employees Say: “Large company, they take care of you. Pay you well with industry standards. You can move within company to different jobs as there are lots of opportunities available from within.” — Current Employee
Pension and other benefits: According to its website, not only does Ernst & Young Global’s offer a retirement plan, but it also offers “ high-touch and high-tech financial planning services provided through the Employee Financial Services at no cost to you.” Plus, it offers “savings and security through its identity theft protection program as well as discounted auto, home and pet insurance options from the nation’s top-rated insurance companies.”
Where Hiring: Bristol, London, Birmingham, Belfast, and more.
What Employees Say: “Great culture and people. Fantastic opportunities for those who are ready to work hard.” — Current Employee
Pension and other benefits: According to its website, “With UnitedHealth Group you can begin planning for the future from the first day you begin your career [with an] Employee Stock Purchase Plan, [and a] UnitedHealth Group Credit Union.” There are other benefits to help you save money too. A current employee wrote on Glassdoor that UnitedHealth Group offers a “range of benefits … some involve employee contribution like discounted gym membership.”
Where Hiring: London, Lincolnshire, Maidenhead, and more.
What Employees Say: “PTO is generous, and there is plenty of opportunity to transfer around if you like to experience different job roles.” — Current Employee