Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 staff as AI costs mount

“The Voluntary Exit Offer reflects an important part of how we’re evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter,” Coleman wrote. “This builds on what we learned earlier this year through the Voluntary Retirement Program.”

What the voluntary exit offer covers

The program is open to eligible employees in participating teams at level 70 and below, Microsoft said. It’s time-limited, and the company described it as a way to leave with financial support and career planning resources. The memo doesn’t detail the package, and eligible workers were told to expect an email with their individual terms.

Microsoft’s memo also doesn’t give a headcount. The 60,000 figure comes from news reports.

CNBC’s source said employees must decide in December and those who accept will leave on Dec. 31, 2026. Microsoft has no target number this time, the person said. The offer also reaches vice president level, a step above April’s cutoff of senior director, according to the same source.

How the offer builds on April’s retirement program

April’s program was open to about 7% of Microsoft’s U.S. workforce, which Computerworld calculated at roughly 8,750 people. More than 30% of those eligible took it, Microsoft said in July. The new offer is far wider, spanning four countries and an eligible pool nearly seven times larger by that count.