In Brief

Posted:

9:38 AM PDT · April 23, 2026

Image Credits:Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group / Getty Images

- Amanda Silberling

Microsoft offers buyout for up to 7% of US employees

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.

Topics

Enterprise, headcount, In Brief, Microsoft

April 30

San Francisco, CA

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

Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news

TechCrunch Daily News

Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage.

TechCrunch Mobility

TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.

Startups Weekly

Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly.

StrictlyVC

Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day.

No newsletters selected.

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.

Social

Meta is revamping its cross-app management system

- Amanda Silberling

5 hours ago

Google updates Workspace to make AI your new office intern

- Lucas Ropek

22 hours ago

Google Cloud launches two new AI chips to compete with Nvidia

- Julie Bort

1 day ago

Latest in Enterprise

In Brief

Microsoft offers buyout for up to 7% of US employees

- Amanda Silberling

4 hours ago

Enterprise

Labor unrest at Samsung may worsen memory chip supply issues

- Kate Park

7 hours ago

Startups

Beehiiv rolls out new creator tools, including webinars and customizable paywalls

- Lauren Forristal

9 hours ago