Microsoft offers buyout for up to 7% of U.S. employees

The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits SF on April 30. Tickets are going fast. Register now. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. TechCrunch Desktop Logo TechCrunch Mobile Logo LatestStartupsVentureAppleSecurityAIApps EventsPodcastsNewsletters SearchSubmit Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest Microsoft is offering voluntary retirement buyouts for the first time in its 51-year history, per reports from CNBC and Bloomberg. According to an internal memo, employees will be eligible if their years of work at Microsoft plus their age totals 70 or more, with some exceptions. So if someone who is 52 years old has 18 years of service at Microsoft, they could qualify for the buyout. This move gives Microsoft an opportunity to reduce its headcount in a manner less abrasive than mass layoffs. Over the last few years, Microsoft has weathered several rounds of layoffs, affecting thousands of employees — most recently, the company cut 9,000 jobs last summer. The company had an estimated 125,000 U.S. employees as of June. The buyouts would reportedly apply to 7% of the U.S. workforce, which amounts to about 8,750 employees. TechCrunch has reached out to Microsoft for comment. StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. Microsoft offers buyout for up to 7% of U.S. employees Amanda Silberling 11 seconds ago Enterprise Labor unrest at Samsung may worsen memory chip supply issues Kate Park 3 hours ago Startups Beehiiv rolls out new creator tools, including webinars and customizable paywalls Lauren Forristal 5 hours ago X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunchStaffContact UsAdvertiseCrunchboard JobsSite Map Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyRSS Terms of UseCode of Conduct Tim CookJohn TernusNew GlennWhatsAppMythosTech LayoffsChatGPT © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.