Merit pool is horrible this year. A lot of 3's are getting close to nothing and then they expect to score high EXI. Feel bad for gl 26 and below because they were supposed to get consistent raises but now they lose out on RRP and only get 1%.
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I wonder why funding was low? Shame on these high paid execs when the people on the frontlines fight to get $1.00. Merit funding was low so why doesn't Steve share some of his $60 million in equity. GREED!
Stephen J. Hemsley is a high-profile corporate executive known for his leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group, where he has held positions as CEO and Board Chairman. As of May 2025, Axios reported that Hemsley received a $1 million salary and $60 million in equity.
Executive Compensation: In 2025, his compensation package included substantial stock-based, equity awards.
Previous Earnings: Earlier in his career as CEO (2006–2017), he was consistently listed as one of the highest-paid executives in the healthcare industry, with a $31.3 million pay package reported in 2017.
Stock Sales: In April 2024, it was reported that Hemsley and other UnitedHealth executives sold $102 million in stock.
This is part of why I left. No raise last year and they tried to play it off like “but look at your RRP”…no.
My merit funding was terrible this year. It's one of the most difficult comp planning season i have been through. We were told we had to limit 5s and balance 3s and 4s. Then when merit funding was released, we were told to give 3s zero merit. It is sickening. And to think, this is most likely future merits will be.
@j9 Our team lost 6 that I know of right now.
Glad department's can't be provided 22k to allow families to make ends meat. And at the same time pay Steve Hemsley a multi million salary
I guess our merit bonus is keeping our jobs. Sounds like Optum is getting hit hard Friday with layoffs.
I never expect an increase at anytime because they always overlook my team anyway. This way I'm not disappointed when I'm told oh, you are not getting an increase or your increase was only XX. I have looked and applied elsewhere, but the other benefits I currently receive outweigh what I would have gotten at other companies.
@cw is the idea that getting no raise and being told it was just a horrendous year less of a burn than being given a Taco Johns giftcard for $20?
The merit increases are terrible, and I agree with everyone saying it’s embarrassing. I’ve even heard some departments are planning to skip raises for employees rated a 3 and only give increases to 4’s and 5’s. What makes it worse is that I was recently promoted and my salary came in low, and my boss assured me the merit cycle would make up for it. Clearly, that’s not happening now.
@cf Planned Promotions were taken off of the table also.
Does anyone know if they’re doing promotions this year? I was recommended for a promotion in November and haven’t heard if it went through. Obviously the pay increase will be poor but I’d like the higher title in case I want to leave the company.
Agree, completely embarrassing and dreading my conversations with my high performing team. Mentally getting 0.5% is a worse then just getting 0, imo. What a joke.
Every time the HR people say a 3 is a good score, I want tell them where they can stick it.
Can confirm this, for my area within E&I at least. .5% increase this year for my employees getting a 3. I'm embarrassed to have to tell them.