Companies today are using equity compensation as a powerful way to attract high-quality employees and to cultivate an engaged and productive workforce. This type of compensation can take many forms, including Stock Options, Restricted Stock, and Performance Shares and each come with unique rules, tax implications and liquidity challenges; making it critically important to strategize how these benefits integrate with the client's broader wealth management plans. Employees who participate in their company's equity benefits plan may understand the importance of their participation in such plans but lack proper understanding of what the benefits are or how to maximize their value in the context of their unique situation.