Is this something I can negotiate?

[Anonymous]

In negotiation phase for a job. Salary is lower than where I am now but far more stable than the current mess in the government. They offer a 7% employer contribution to retirement but only after 1 full year of employment. Can I negotiate that starting when I start with it potentially not vesting until I’ve been there a year? I don’t want to lose out on potential retirement gains (I have a similar employer contribution now)

[Anonymous]

You never know until you try. More likely if it's a smaller/less institutionalized place

[Anonymous]

No. Their plan documents dictate entry into the plan and they cannot deviate without serious consequences. Their 401k vendor won’t even let them enroll a participant outside of the regulations stipulated in their plan docs.

FWIW, I’m the 401k administrator for my company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Their plan documents dictate entry into the plan and they cannot deviate without serious consequences. Their 401k vendor won’t even let them enroll a participant outside of the regulations stipulated in their plan docs.

FWIW, I’m the 401k administrator for my company.

Boo. Any suggestions on what I can ask for in lieu?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Their plan documents dictate entry into the plan and they cannot deviate without serious consequences. Their 401k vendor won’t even let them enroll a participant outside of the regulations stipulated in their plan docs.

FWIW, I’m the 401k administrator for my company.

Boo. Any suggestions on what I can ask for in lieu?

A check enabling you to make IRA contrib for the year in the vehicle of your choice.

[Anonymous]

Higher salary or more time off!

[Anonymous]

I think you should still try to negotiate this (knowing it will be a no) because it will seem so reasonable, that when they come back with a no (they will probably not know and will need to ask), the door will be open for you to ask for something larger

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should still try to negotiate this (knowing it will be a no) because it will seem so reasonable, that when they come back with a no (they will probably not know and will need to ask), the door will be open for you to ask for something larger

You could try this tactic, but please don’t be under the impression that “they probably don’t know”. Unless they’re a new manager in this organization, they very likely do know. My company doesn’t negotiate benefits at all and all hiring managers (self included) know that very well.

[Anonymous]

I would work for increased base or signing bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should still try to negotiate this (knowing it will be a no) because it will seem so reasonable, that when they come back with a no (they will probably not know and will need to ask), the door will be open for you to ask for something larger

You could try this tactic, but please don’t be under the impression that “they probably don’t know”. Unless they’re a new manager in this organization, they very likely do know. My company doesn’t negotiate benefits at all and all hiring managers (self included) know that very well.

Part of why I asked here is to make sure I wasn't making a dumb request. I may ask for it as a signing bonus so that I can put it in retirement myself (I can enroll in the 403b before the employer contribution kicks in)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Higher salary or more time off!

or signing bonus with this as the explanation. You are going to park it in your Roth so you don't loose a year of employer. match.

[Anonymous]

Ask for higher salary, signing bonus, or more time off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In negotiation phase for a job. Salary is lower than where I am now but far more stable than the current mess in the government. They offer a 7% employer contribution to retirement but only after 1 full year of employment. Can I negotiate that starting when I start with it potentially not vesting until I’ve been there a year? I don’t want to lose out on potential retirement gains (I have a similar employer contribution now)

You can’t ask for this because they won’t be able to change how their 401k match works. You can try to get a signing bonus. In that case I’d point out the income deficit/lack of retirement match in the first year and ask if they can make you whole with any “one time measures.” This is assuming they’ve already said no on a salary increase.