MICROSOFT OFFERS BUYOUTS TO LONG-SERVING US EMPLOYEES

The retirement package includes five years of continued healthcare access, according to sources familiar with the offer. Microsoft announced the voluntary retirement program last month as part of broader workforce planning. Eligibility is restricted to US-based employees meeting the age-and-service threshold. The move allows the company to reduce headcount through attrition rather than layoffs. The early posting of terms on Microsoft's internal HR system suggests the company intended to brief employees before a formal public announcement. Details on additional compensation or severance terms beyond the healthcare benefit were not immediately available. Microsoft has faced significant workforce pressures in recent years, including multiple rounds of layoffs affecting thousands of employees across divisions including gaming, LinkedIn, and cloud services.