One employee touts the benefits of an ESOP, while an academic notes it depends on individual financial circumstances and plan design.

Morgan Zirul, store manager, Starbucks Corp.

When I joined Starbucks in 2017, I was 18 and not really thinking about retirement or long-term financial planning.

During onboarding, I learned about the company’s benefits, including Bean Stock grants awarded annually to full- and part-time employees as part of Starbucks’ total rewards package. I didn’t pay much attention to it at first, but after setting up my account and seeing the value that had accumulated, my perspective changed.

Read: How do employee share ownership plans fit into a full suite of savings options?

As shares vest, employees can hold or sell them based on their goals, making ownership feel tangible and immediate compared to a traditional pension plan. Starbucks also offers a stock investment plan, allowing employees to purchase shares at a five per cent discount through payroll deductions to further support financial goals. The company also provides........

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