Phantom Stock Phantom stock is more flexible than stock options or restricted stock and often is more appropriate for a programmer. Some programmers, particularly those closer to retirement age, will feel that it is important to have medical coverage which is better than generally available to the company's employees. It may be possible to include a programmer in the normal executive program, or it may be possible to arrange for special coverage. Some programmers are less interested in money and more interested in independence. They may wish to work at home or at odd hours and they may wish special reporting arrangements.
Corporate flexibility is often extremely important.
Benefits Many of the programmers may be interested in having additional contributions made on their behalf to the Company's retirement plans. Many of the programmers, especially those familiar with older software, are relatively old but will not have reached normal retirement age by the time the task is finished. In some cases, the company will have no further use for their skills. In other cases, the company will be able to use their skills but will not be willing to continue the high level of compensation. In still other cases, the programmer will find the guarantee of early retirement to be a very attractive element of a compensation package.