For many Meta employees, selling at vest is the most straightforward default. Vested RSUs are taxed as ordinary income on the vest date regardless of whether you sell. A specialist can model both paths against your bracket, vesting schedule, and total META exposure.

Meta uses three RSU schedules. Schedule A vests 1/16th per quarter — even at 6.25%. Schedule B front-weights Q1 at 1/12th, then 1/16th, 1/16th, 2/48th. Schedule C vests 5/48th in Q1, 1/16th in most quarters, 1/48th in Q4. All share four vest dates: February 15, May 15, August 15, November 15.

The Mega Backdoor Roth uses after-tax 401(k) contributions and in-plan Roth conversion to create additional tax-free savings. Meta’s plan fully supports this. In 2026, after Meta’s employer match and your standard elective deferral, eligible employees can contribute additional after-tax dollars and convert them to Roth.

Unvested RSUs are forfeited at separation — there's no "vest acceleration" by default. Timing your departure around vest dates and any retention or refresher awards can preserve significant value. An advisor can map this for you in advance so you're not making the call under pressure.

Meta matches 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 50% of the IRS federal limit. All match contributions vest immediately from day one.

Meta employees at certain levels face trading blackout periods tied to quarterly earnings. Open windows typically begin the day after Meta’s earnings release and close at the end of that month. High-level employees often benefit from a 10b5-1 trading plan that allows pre-scheduled sales even during closed windows.

A Rule 10b5-1 trading plan is a pre-arranged stock sale schedule established during an open trading window. Once adopted, sales execute automatically on the pre-set schedule — including during blackout periods — as long as the plan was established in good faith and a required cooling-off period has elapsed. Setting one up requires working with your financial advisor and Meta’s legal/compliance team in advance.

RSUs are taxed as ordinary income at fair market value on the vest date. Meta withholds 22% for federal taxes by default, but you can elect a rate between 22% and 37% in Workday at least one week before your vest date.

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