- The Hub
- Advocacy
The Employee Ownership Action Network (EOAN) is a free-to-join, grassroots advocacy movement for anyone with a stake in ensuring employee ownership continues to grow and thrive in the US.
Does that sound like you?
- Membership
What Our Members Have to Say
“Membership in The ESOP Association is vital to an ESOP owned company. The advocacy and education services are invaluable and are not duplicated by any other organization.”
-David Kelly, CFO at Acadian Ambulance Service Inc.
- Events & Meetings
Featured Event
Registration Open!
The Employee Owned Conference, attended annually by more than 2,000 employee-owners, thought leaders, and professional advisors, is the largest ESOP conference in the world.
Upcoming events
- Resources
The #EO Solution
The ESOP Association and Project Equity have partnered to create state -by-state data that amplifies employee ownership as a common sense way to preserve businesses, strengthen jobs and build a more resilient post-pandemic economy.
ESOP Association Resources
Forming an ESOP - A New Video Series on Business Succession Planning
Hear from ESOP companies in multiple different industries, and their seasoned advisors, about what an ESOP is and if it’s right for you.
- Store
- About TEA
What is an ESOP?
An ESOP is a retirement plan—but also a way of living and running a company. For insights on both technical and cultural aspects of these plans—which provide benefits to employee owners, the company, the community, and exiting owners—and links to additional resources, see our web page titled What is an ESOP?
- Join TEA
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Nov. 14
I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I make the statement “ESOPs are unique”. An ESOP is not like other privately held companies, and it’s definitely not like a publicly traded company. This is because ESOP employees are not just employees, they are also owners. Owners expect (and deserve) different things from their company and likewise, the company should expect a different level of engagement when sharing ownership.
Nov. 09
SYNTHETIC EQUITY SERIES – PART THREE OF THREE
This is the third in a series of articles covering components of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 409(p) test, which is specific to S-corporation ESOPs. The first article discussed the items required for the test, one of which is information on any outstanding synthetic equity awards. The second article defined and described common forms of synthetic equity for 409(p) purposes. We recommend that you review these two articles before proceeding, as this article presumes knowledge of the concepts discussed in them.
This is the third in a series of articles covering components of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 409(p) test, which is specific to S-corporation ESOPs. The first article discussed the items required for the test, one of which is information on any outstanding synthetic equity awards. The second article defined and described common forms of synthetic equity for 409(p) purposes. We recommend that you review these two articles before proceeding, as this article presumes knowledge of the concepts discussed in them.
Nov. 07
Happy Employee Ownership Month! It’s a special time for a special community. Employee owners nationwide celebrate with tremendous pride. It’s a great time to reflect on the 11 million-plus employee owners in America who not only enjoy the individual benefits that accompany employee ownership, but also the contributions to communities and the social good that employee ownership adds. We know we have a cause worth celebrating but also one – in the very nature of employee ownership – worth sharing.
Nov. 02
From Oregon to Massachusetts and from Minnesota to Florida, TEA’s Chapter team logged some serious miles in October, hosting chapter and regional fall conferences across America.
Aug. 15
Employee retention is a critical challenge faced by organizations in today’s dynamic business landscape, especially with the recent surge in turnover.
A high turnover rate not only disrupts workflow but also increases an ESOP’s costs associated with recruitment, training, and lost productivity. In this article, we’ll explore several strategies that ESOPs can use to attract and retain the most talented employee owners.
A high turnover rate not only disrupts workflow but also increases an ESOP’s costs associated with recruitment, training, and lost productivity. In this article, we’ll explore several strategies that ESOPs can use to attract and retain the most talented employee owners.
Aug. 10
In late June, ESOP PAC hosted a fundraising event for Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO), an ESOP champion and chair of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means. Ways and Means is a key committee of jurisdiction for ESOPs as it is responsible for writing our tax code, along with its counterpart in the Senate, the Finance Committee.
Aug. 08
The shared passion for employee ownership is something that runs deep throughout the ESOP community. It’s something we all feel strongly about, and a key driver of why the ESOP model works for so many millions of Americans. But what is it, scientifically, about ESOP culture that fosters this pride among employee owners?
Aug. 03
Earlier this year, The ESOP Association announced the first Chapter expansion since the 1990s to better serve our membership, reinstating a standalone Florida Chapter and creating the Rocky Mountain Chapter, serving Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. TEA is excited to announce our newest chapters are already making great progress, and both will be hosting their inaugural conferences in August (Florida) and September (Rocky Mountain)!
Chapter News
Jan. 26
For the first time since the 1990’s, The ESOP Association Board of Directors has voted to add new Chapters, including an all-new Rocky Mountain Chapter and a re-instated Florida Chapter.
Jul. 16
By surviving tough times and retaining employees, ESOPs benefit the nation as a whole.