This is what Microsoft is offering long-term employees to take voluntary leave

Microsoft revealed last month that it plans to hire long-term workers in the US the ability to rest at will. While the deals are due to be announced to employees tomorrow, sources at Microsoft tell me the company posted them on its internal HR website sooner than expected.

US workers whose combined years of service have been extended to their full 70 years or older will be eligible for voluntary retirement, and the package will include five years of Microsoft health care coverage, non-cash benefits, and six months of discretionary benefits.

Five years of medical, dental, vision, and wellness coverage will be covered by Microsoft for the first year, but employees who choose to voluntarily retire will have to pay monthly for the remaining four years.

Fees vary depending on the number of employees. Those in the middle level of Microsoft (level 64) will be paid one week for every six months of full-time service, up to 39 weeks. Those in the highest positions at Microsoft (levels 65-67) will be paid two weeks for every six months of full-time service, up to the same level of 39 weeks.

Microsoft is also including a six-month vesting period for unvested stock options and stock options, which will extend to 12 months if the employee is 24 or older.

About 7 percent of Microsoft’s US employees are eligible for the buyout option, which is about 8,750 employees. This is the first time Microsoft has offered a voluntary retirement program in its 50-year history, and employees will have 30 days to decide whether they want to take it or not.

Microsoft said last month that it would take a $900 million stake in the existing one-time program, which GeekWire it shows and the company’s earnings date.