A guide to restricted stock awards (RSAs)

This award is well-deserved recognition of the value you bring to your company.

How RSAs work


Follow the journey of a typical award.



Accept your award
(if you're required to).



Wait for the award to vest.



Your award pays out after taxes are withheld.



The payout is now yours.

Receiving restricted stock awards (RSAs) from your company is a big deal—congratulations! RSAs are a form of equity compensation that will pay out in shares after a specified vesting (or waiting) period.


Accepting your award and opening your account
To accept your award, go to Fidelity NetBenefitsLog In Required. If you're registering for the first time, you'll be asked to create a username and password and certify your account if you need to.


Tracking your award value
The value of your award is based on the price of your company's shares. Go to NetBenefitsLog In Required to see how much your award could be worth


Receiving your payout
Your award pays out after a vesting period your company sets. On the vesting date, you'll become the full owner of the shares—go to NetBenefitsLog In Required to find out when that happens.


Managing your payout
Your award pays out to your account. To sell your shares easily and link your bank account to access cash go to NetBenefitsLog In Required.


Understanding your taxes
Your award is considered taxable when it vests, and your company may withhold a portion of the payout to cover the taxes due. Depending on your country's tax laws, you may have additional taxes when you sell your shares. Use Fidelity's tax-planning resources to learn more about taxes.

Make the most of your account


When your award pays out, we'll deposit the shares or cash to your account.


With this account, you can manage your stock plans, transfer cash to your bank account, and sell your shares.


Explore your account

Your Stock Plan Resource Center


The Stock Plan Resource Center provides the help and education you need to understand how your equity compensation works, including taxes, and selling and managing shares.


Frequently asked questions

Resources

Selling your shares (PDF)


Use this step-by-step guide to find out how easy it is to sell your shares.

UK resident? Your awards could do more


Fidelity Stock Plan Services and Fidelity International are separate companies that work together to provide financial education and support. If you are in the UK, Fidelity International can help you explore what’s possible, wherever you are on your journey.

Stock plan glossary


What's that word? Find definitions for commonly used terms.