Amazon's RSU vesting is back-loaded: % in year , % in year , % in year , % in year .
This means a \400$K RSU grant pays out roughly:
- Year : \205$%)
- Year : \6015$%)
- Year : \16040$%)
- Year : \16040$%)
If Amazon's stock appreciates, years - pay out even more. If the stock drops, you receive fewer dollars despite the same share count.
This vesting structure is why Amazon offers large sign-on bonuses to bridge the gap in years -.