How to Calculate Severance Pay

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: February 18, 2023 References

Severance pay is an amount of money that an employer agrees to pay an employee upon termination. Generally, an employer does not have to offer severance. However, if you have been terminated, then you should ask for it. Furthermore, if you are negotiating an employment contract, then you may want to get a severance package included in the contract.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Understanding Severance Pay

1
Understand that severance is not required. Severance is generally not required by law.^{[1]
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Workplace Fairness
Nonprofit organization focused on public education and advocacy on issues related to employment and labor law
Go to source}^{[2]
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Research source} However, an employer could agree to include it as part of an employment contract. Alternately, the employer could offer severance at termination even if it was not included in the employment contract. Severance may be paid as a lump sum or in installments.
- Severance pay also is not “unemployment insurance.” Unemployment benefits are cash payments based on a percentage of your earnings. Each state sets a maximum amount.^{[3]
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  CareerOneStop
  Online resource sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers
  Go to source} The insurance is paid for by your employer.
- For tips on calculating your unemployment benefit, see Calculate Unemployment.
2
Learn about a waiver and release. Some employers will offer severance to employees in order to limit their exposure to potential lawsuits. While offering severance pay is not itself evidence of an employer’s wrongdoing, some employers will nevertheless offer severance pay if they suspect an employee may sue the company. In order to get the severance pay, the employee must sign a waiver of all legal claims.
- These waivers release the employer from legal liability and are valid so long as the employee signed it voluntarily and knowingly.^{[4]
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  US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  U.S. government agency that enforces civil rights in the workplace
  Go to source} Although you cannot be prevented from reporting discrimination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, you can be prevented from bringing a private lawsuit.
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3
Identify the parts of a severance package. A severance package can include much more than just a payment of money. Severance packages can also include:^{[5]
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- Health and wellness benefits
- Positive letters of recommendation
- Uncontested unemployment compensation
- Moving expenses
- Ability to keep cell phone, computer, etc.
4
Research if severance is common in your industry. If you are negotiating an employment contract, then you might want to know if severance is commonly included in employment contracts in your industry. Try to find examples of employment contracts or speak to an attorney who practices employment law and who specializes in your particular industry.
- To find an attorney, visit your state’s bar association, which should run a referral program.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Calculating Severance Pay

1
Read your employment contract. If you have been laid off, then you should look at your employment contract to see if you are eligible for severance. If so, the contract should state how severance is calculated.
- Severance is most often calculated according to the length you have been with the company. For example, it is common for hourly-wage employees to be offered one week’s pay for each year that they have been with the company.^{[6]
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  - If you have worked for a company for five years, then you would get five weeks of pay at your current pay rate.
- Salaried employees sometimes are offered at least two weeks’ pay for each year that they have been at the company.^{[7]
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  - Accordingly, you would divide your yearly salary by 52 to get the weekly pay rate. Then, multiply this pay rate by the number of weeks. If you earn $39,000 a year, then you make $750 a week. If you worked for the company for 10 years, then you would get $7,500 in severance.
2
Ask if sick time and vacation time can be “cashed out.” You may not have an automatic right to “cash out” the value of any accrued sick time, vacation days, or personal time. In fact, few state laws require an employer to do so.^{[8]
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Workplace Fairness
Nonprofit organization focused on public education and advocacy on issues related to employment and labor law
Go to source} You should read your employment contract to see what rules govern cashing out this time. If you can’t find any rule, then ask your employer if you will be paid for this time.
3
Negotiate for severance pay. If your contract does not have any clause pertaining to severance, then you can try to negotiate for it. You should think over any initial deal offered by your employer without immediately accepting it. If you are over 40, then federal law allows you 21 days to consider a severance package.^{[9]
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- To counteroffer, you should come up with a reason why you need more money. Career coaches advise that you can mention the fact that you just bought a new house or have other recent, large expenses.^{[10]
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  Research source} An employer may be sufficiently motivated to get you to sign a waiver and release that they will increase the amount of severance just to get you to sign.
- If you have an illness in the family, then ask for extended health benefits. You could get an additional six months before having to go on COBRA.^{[11]
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