Benefits that Amazon offers to employees
Benefits that Amazon offers to employees put your health, pay, retirement, family leave, learning, and discounts front and center. This guide explains Amazon health plans and mental-health support and how to enroll; how pay, 401(k) match, performance bonuses, and RSUs add to your income; parental leave rules and how PTO works; tuition help like Career Choice and on-the-job training; and where to claim everyday discounts and perks.
How Amazon health insurance for employees protects you
Amazon’s health options are designed to shield you from large medical bills with medical coverage, preventive care, and cost-saving tools. Plans help pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and tests. An out-of-pocket maximum caps your annual exposure. You can also use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to lower taxable costs.
Key protections:
- Medical coverage for routine and emergency care
- HSA / FSA for tax-advantaged savings
- Out-of-pocket maximum to protect savings
Amazon health insurance for employees: plans you can join
Check your Amazon benefits portal for precise plan names and eligibility. Common plan types:
| Plan type | What it covers | Who it helps most |
|---|---|---|
| Medical (PPO / HMO / HDHP) | Doctor visits, ER, hospital, tests, prescriptions | Those who want full coverage or lower premiums with HSA |
| High-Deductible HSA | Same care; lets you save tax-free for care | Those seeking tax savings and a health fund |
| Dental | Cleanings, fillings, some major work | Regular dental users |
| Vision | Eye exams, glasses, contacts | Glasses/contact wearers |
| HSA / FSA | Pre-tax accounts for health costs | Employees lowering taxable income for care costs |
Pick the plan that fits your health needs and budget.
Mental health and wellbeing benefits
Amazon provides mental health support—short-term counseling, therapy sessions, digital tools for stress and sleep, and crisis lines. Programs reduce wait times and increase access to professionals. Wellbeing programs teach stress tools and healthy habits to help with burnout and anxiety.
How to enroll:
- Check your eligibility date (hire date or open enrollment).
- Log in to the Amazon benefits portal or A to Z app.
- Review plan summaries (look at deductible and out-of-pocket max).
- Select medical, dental, and vision; add dependents.
- Enroll in HSA or FSA if offered; set contributions.
- Sign up for mental-health tools or counseling programs.
- Save your confirmation email or screenshot.
Act quickly after hire or life events—deadlines matter.
Your pay and Amazon 401(k) match and retirement benefits
Amazon offers a 401(k) plan with a company match for eligible employees—extra money added to your retirement account. Vesting rules and match amounts vary by hire date and role. Read your plan documents to understand specifics.
Quick checklist:
- Eligibility — who can join
- Match rate — how much Amazon contributes when you do
- Vesting schedule — when matched funds become yours
- Investment options — where contributions are invested
| Benefit | What it means for you | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) account | Tax-advantaged retirement account funded from pay | Amazon benefits portal |
| Company match | Extra contributions from Amazon | Plan documents / HR |
| Vesting | Time before match is fully yours | Summary plan description |
| Investment choices | Funds for growth or stability | 401(k) investment menu |
Example: Start saving early to capture both your contributions and any company match—compounding works in your favor.
Performance bonuses and compensation: ways to earn more
You can increase pay beyond base wages through multiple channels:
- Performance bonuses — for hitting targets or high ratings
- Overtime and shift pay — extra pay for long hours or nights
- Referral bonuses — paid for recommending hires
- Stock awards (RSUs) — common for salaried roles; vest over time
- Promotions — higher base pay and benefits
| Pay method | Who typically gets it | How to boost it |
|---|---|---|
| Performance bonus | Hourly and salaried workers | Meet or exceed targets |
| Overtime/shift pay | Hourly roles | Pick high-demand shifts |
| RSUs / stock awards | Salaried/technical roles | Excel in reviews; negotiate at hire |
| Referral bonus | Eligible employees | Refer qualified candidates |
How to enroll for retirement and bonus programs:
- Log in to your benefits portal.
- Find the retirement or 401(k) section.
- Choose a contribution percentage and investments.
- Confirm enrollment and check pay stubs.
If you miss enrollment windows, contact HR or People Experience.
Amazon parental leave policy and paid time off to care for your family
Benefits that Amazon offers to employees include comprehensive parental leave options and PTO to support growing families.
Leave options for new parents
- Primary caregiver leave — paid time off for the main caregiver after birth or placement
- Secondary caregiver leave — paid bonding time for the other parent/partner
- Short-term disability — medical recovery for birthing parents
- Ramp Back — reduced hours to ease the return to work
| Leave type | Who it helps | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary caregiver leave | Main caregiver | Paid time after birth/placement |
| Secondary caregiver leave | Partner/non-primary parent | Paid bonding time |
| Short-term disability | Birthing parent | Medical recovery |
| Ramp Back / flexible return | Any new parent | Reduced hours to transition back |
For details, contact People Experience or check the employee portal. These family supports are important parts of the Benefits that Amazon offers to employees.
Paid time off (PTO)
- Accrual — PTO accrues over time; longer service can mean more days
- Use — Vacation, sick days, and personal time
- Role differences — Hourly vs. salaried rules may differ
To request leave:
- Tell your manager early with start/end dates.
- Use the leave portal or contact People Experience.
- Submit required documents (birth record, doctor note).
- Decide how PTO fits before/after parental leave.
- Plan coverage so your team continues smoothly.
Amazon stock awards and RSUs: how they add to your pay
Stock awards (usually RSUs) are part of the Benefits that Amazon offers to employees and can significantly increase total compensation. RSUs grant shares over time rather than immediate cash.
Key points:
- Vesting: when RSUs vest you legally own the shares.
- Value: market price at vest × shares vested equals taxable income.
- RSUs can grow in value but can also decline—plan accordingly.
| Event | What happens | Impact on your pay |
|---|---|---|
| Grant | Promise of shares | No cash yet |
| Vest | Shares become yours | Recorded as income at market value |
| Hold | Keep shares | Potential future gain/loss |
| Sell | Convert to cash | Adds to take-home pay after taxes |
Example: 100 shares vest at $150 = $15,000 counted as income on your W-2.
Taxes and selling basics
Taxes apply at vest and at sale:
- At vest: market value is ordinary income (W-2). Employer withholding may be insufficient.
- At sale: price change after vest is capital gain/loss—short-term if sold ≤1 year, long-term if >1 year.
| Moment | Tax type | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Vest date | Ordinary income | Market value and withholding on W-2 |
| Sale (≤1 year) | Short-term capital gains | Taxed like regular income |
| Sale (>1 year) | Long-term capital gains | Lower rate possible |
Tip: Many sell a portion at vest to cover taxes and avoid surprises.
Where to track your stock awards
- Equity plan account (stock plan portal / broker) — grants, vest dates, share counts
- Pay stubs and W-2 — income from vested RSUs and withheld tax
- 1099-B / brokerage statements — sales and cost basis for tax filing
Log in regularly and download statements after each vest or sale.
Amazon tuition assistance and training programs to boost your career
Amazon offers education support such as Career Choice and multiple on-the-job training paths to help you move into higher-paying roles.
Career Choice and tuition assistance
- Career Choice helps hourly employees pay for education in in-demand fields (IT, healthcare, transportation, trades, business).
- Amazon can pre-pay up to 95% of tuition and fees, historically capped (e.g., up to $12,000 over four years in the U.S.). Check local rules.
| Course category | Example programs | Who benefits |
|---|---|---|
| IT & Cloud | CompTIA, AWS Cloud Practitioner | Aspiring tech employees |
| Healthcare | Medical assistant, nursing prerequisites | Care jobs |
| Skilled Trades | CNC, welding, HVAC basics | Hands-on roles |
| Transportation | CDL classes, logistics certificates | Drivers/logistics staff |
| Business & Admin | Bookkeeping, admin certificates | Shift leads/clerical roles |
On-the-job training and upskilling
Amazon provides site training to earn roles like lead, trainer, process technician, or maintenance. AWS certifications are supported for cloud roles.
Examples:
- Forklift leadership → Shift lead / trainer
- AWS courses → IT support / cloud ops
- Machinist certificate → Shop roles
How to apply for tuition help:
- Check eligibility in the Career Choice portal or with HR.
- Pick an approved program and confirm costs.
- Get pre-approval through the portal before starting.
- Meet attendance and grade requirements; keep receipts.
- Talk to your manager about scheduling.
Save emails and receipts to simplify follow-up.
Amazon employee discounts and perks that save you money
Amazon offers discounts on products and partner brands—watch the employee portal and A to Z app for deals around Prime Day, Black Friday, and seasonal sales.
| Discount source | Where to look | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Internal employee store | Employee portal / A to Z app | Deals on devices and select items |
| Seasonal events | Company email / event pages | Deeper cuts during Prime Day / holidays |
| Partner promotions | Internal announcements | Limited-time third-party savings |
Extra perks:
- Commuter help: pre-tax benefits or shuttles at some sites
- Device offers: special pricing on Echo, Fire tablets, and more
- Wellness programs: low-cost health resources and fitness perks
How to claim discounts:
- Open the A to Z app or employee portal.
- Check the discounts or benefits section.
- Follow sign-up/purchase links and use your company email if required.
- Read eligibility rules—some deals require full-time status or waiting periods.
- Save confirmation emails and receipts.
Contact HR or the benefits help desk if something seems off.
Final notes
This guide highlights the major Benefits that Amazon offers to employees: health coverage and mental-health resources, retirement and 401(k) match, performance pay and RSUs, parental leave and PTO, tuition assistance and training, and discounts and everyday perks. Review your Amazon benefits portal and talk to People Experience or HR for exact details and the latest updates. Use these benefits intentionally to protect your health, grow your earnings, secure your future, and boost your career.