Benefits That Work, Wherever You Are in Life
Explore how NVIDIANs like you are getting the most from their benefits. Select someone’s story to learn more.
Brendan
Intern | 21 years old | Single | No children
“How can NVIDIA support my priorities if I join full time?”
Brendan recently came on board as an NVIDIA intern—his first big step into the tech world. The experience has him thinking differently about the future and what matters most. With his sights set on a full‑time role, he’s exploring how NVIDIA’s benefits can help him thrive, both personally and financially. Brendan dives into the company’s medical, dental, and vision plans, along with the 401(k) Retirement Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The health coverage offers strong protection at a budget‑friendly premium, which is a win for his wallet (and a relief for Brendan’s parents, who can finally take him off their plan). He’s also excited to learn that NVIDIA could help pay off up to $30,000 of his student loans once he’s a full‑time employee.
Once Brendan joins full time, he:
- Connects with EdAssist to schedule a free coaching session and taps into GuidanceResources EAP for complimentary financial counseling. These resources help him build a smart budget, prioritize loan repayment, and set himself up to stay debt‑free.
- Schedules time in his first week to enroll in medical, dental, and vision coverage, and signs up for the 401(k). Those counseling sessions reinforce that starting early—even with small contributions—can make a big difference, especially with NVIDIA’s matching contributions.
- Enrolls in the ESPP during his hire month to take advantage of the 15% discount. He plans to sell shares strategically to accelerate his student loan payoff. (If he misses the initial window, he knows he can join during the February or August enrollment periods.)
- Activates his eligibility for the Student Loan Repayment program to chip away at his debt even faster.
- Views the company-wide Free Days and Holidays schedule and begins planning a camping trip with friends.
- Plans to volunteer at his favorite charity to raise money through NVIDIA’s matching gift program.
Sandra
Recent college grad | 24 years old | Single | No children
“How can I balance having enough money for rent and fun, while continuing to pay off student loans?”
Fresh out of college, Sandra is starting her career at NVIDIA and navigating life in the Bay Area—balancing rent, student loans, and a social life. She opts for the NVIDIA HSA Medical Plan because she’s healthy and likes that it comes with zero paycheck premiums. Even better, NVIDIA contributes $2,000 to her Health Savings Account (HSA), giving her a safety net for unexpected medical expenses. Based on the good advice from her mom, a financial planner, Sandra also jumps into the 401(k) Retirement Plan early. She contributes 3% of her salary, knowing that starting now means she’ll have to save less later—and NVIDIA’s matching contributions make it even smarter. Her biggest challenge? Bay Area rent. She’s determined to pay down her student loans without sacrificing her weekend plans.
Once Sandra settles in, she:
- Looks into commuter benefits to save on transportation costs, freeing up more of her budget for housing options that fit her lifestyle.
- Connects with GuidanceResources EAP for free financial counseling, building a budget that balances rent, loan payments, and fun money.
- Enrolls in the Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) to buy shares at a 15% discount, planning to sell strategically for extra cash toward both her “weekend fund” and student loan payments.
- Works with a Financial Concierge to get a second opinion on her investment portfolio. (She can’t wait to impress her mom!)
- Activates the Student Loan Repayment program to accelerate her debt payoff.
- Views the company-wide Free Days and Holidays and plans her next trip.
Assaf
Recently transferred to the U.S. | 36 years old | Single | Supports parents in Israel
“How can I learn more about my new U.S. benefits and make sure I can continue supporting my parents?”
Assaf recently relocated from Israel to join NVIDIA in the U.S. He quickly notices that the health and financial benefits here are quite different from what he had back home. Determined to make smart choices, he takes the time to explore his options. He chooses the NVIDIA HSA Medical Plan—no paycheck premiums and a $2,000 company contribution to his Health Savings Account (HSA) for eligible medical expenses. That means more take‑home pay he can send to his parents in Israel. When he hears colleagues talking about NVIDIA’s 401(k) Retirement Plan and matching contributions, he adds it to his “must‑research” list. He also discovers the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which lets him buy shares at a discount and defer taxes until he sells—a smart way to grow his savings.
As Assaf gets started in his new role, he:
- Skips the search for a new doctor in the U.S. and schedules an appointment at a Crossover Health clinic near campus, where he can use his HSA Medical Plan.
- looks for every opportunity to optimize his U.S. taxes, including enrolling in the 401(k) plan and making personal contributions to his HSA, so he can maximize the amount he sends home.
- Contacts GuidanceResources for free financial counseling, creating a budget that includes a dedicated “parents fund.”
- Visits Fidelity and watches the NVIDIA intranet video to fully understand how the 401(k) works—especially the value of company‑matching dollars.
- Enrolls in the ESPP to take advantage of the 15% discount and the ability to defer taxes until sale, giving him another way to build funds for his family.
- Views the company-wide Free Days and Holidays schedule and plans out his trip home for the holidays.
Barbara
Approaching Medicare eligibility | 64 years old | Married | Wants to continue working beyond 65
“How will Medicare and my NVIDIA benefits work together?”
Barbara turns 65 in six months, and the Medicare mailers have started to arrive. She currently covers herself and her retired husband (age 63) under the NVIDIA HSA Plus medical plan. Until now, Medicare wasn’t something she’d thought much about, but with the milestone approaching, she’s ready to understand how it integrates with her NVIDIA benefits. With retirement still a few years away, Barbara is focused on maximizing every tax‑advantaged account available to her, including her 401(k) Retirement Plan and Health Savings Account (HSA). She knows that staying healthy and making smart healthcare choices now will help protect her finances well into retirement. NVIDIA’s resources give her the clarity and tools to plan with confidence.
To get going with her plan, Barbara:
- Schedules a meeting with a Fidelity representative to map out her monthly retirement budget—including how much she’ll need from her 401(k) to supplement savings and cover COBRA costs for her husband once she leaves NVIDIA.
- Continues to max out her 401(k) and HSA, taking advantage of catch‑up contributions available to employees over age 55.
- Remains enrolled in the Employee Stock Purchase Program, buying shares at a discount to lock in potential gains when she chooses to sell.
- Contacts Medicare to better understand how Medicare and NVIDIA benefits will work together to support her.
- Enrolls in NVIDIA’s legal program to update her estate.
- Enrolls in Long-Term Care, planning ahead for when she and her husband may need additional support for help with everyday activities
Alice
Single parent | 47 years old | Two children
“How can I protect my entire family's health, build wealth for the future, and bolster the kids’ college funds at the same time?”
Alice is balancing a lot—a demanding career, saving for retirement, and raising two kids, ages 6 and 11. She chooses the NVIDIA PPO Plan because most services are covered by a copay, giving her predictable healthcare costs and peace of mind. She also contributes 6% of her salary to the NVIDIA 401(k) Retirement Plan. While she’d like to save more (retirement isn’t as far away as it once seemed), Alice is equally committed to helping her kids afford college, just as her own parents did. She also wants to protect her financial plan from unexpected expenses that could throw it off course.
To get started, Alice:
- Connects with GuidanceResources to speak with a financial counselor about balancing 401(k) contributions with college savings goals.
- Works with a Financial Concierge to get a second opinion on her investment portfolio.
- Opens a 529 College Savings plan to start building a dedicated fund for the kids’ college education.
- Uses both Day Care and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to set aside more tax‑free dollars for eligible expenses.
- Continues to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), buying shares at a discount to lock in potential gains when she chooses to sell.
- Reviews Supplemental Life Insurance options to ensure that, if anything happens, her children’s future remains financially secure. NVIDIA’s benefit of 2.5x pay at group rates offers affordable peace of mind.
- Bookmarks Care.com to find reliable, last-minute childcare when needed.
- Reviews the company-wide Free Days and Holidays to help with scheduling her next family outing.
- Signs up with RethinkCare to receive additional support and parenting tips.
Ashvi
Married | 34 years old | Wants to start a family
“How can I get ready to buy a house, get my debt under control, and prepare for a baby?”
Ashvi has been married for a year and already has a full plate. She knows she should start saving for retirement, but right now, every extra dollar is earmarked for a house down payment. On top of that, she’s carrying a significant student loan balance, and she and her spouse are excited to start a family soon. They’ve enrolled in the NVIDIA HSA Plus Medical Plan, which offers a lower premium and deductible—a smart choice in case their family grows sooner than expected. NVIDIA also contributes $1,250 to her Health Savings Account (HSA) for eligible medical expenses. Ashvi’s spouse reminds her that it’s never too early to start saving for the future, especially with NVIDIA’s matching contributions, so she decides to explore the company’s resources to help them reach all their goals.
To make a path toward her goals, she:
- Contact a financial counselor through GuidanceResources for help with prioritizing where her money should go—balancing a house down payment, student loan repayment, and retirement savings.
- Explores NVIDIA’s family building and support options, to understand what’s available to help support her as a new parent.
- Reviews NVIDIA’s family leave benefits, including parental leave to bond with a new child.
- Opens a 401(k) account and contributes just enough to receive NVIDIA’s matching dollars, with a plan to increase contributions once her student loans are paid off to maximize tax savings.
- Checks out the Student Loan Repayment Program, which can provide up to $30,000 toward eligible student loans if the degree was earned within the past three years.
Kenji
Married | 48 years old | Three kids
“How can I balance my hectic schedule, while saving for retirement and my children’s college expenses?”
Kenji has spent most of his career at NVIDIA. He covers his entire family under the NVIDIA PPO Medical Plan and contributes 6% of his salary to his 401(k) Retirement Plan. His goal is to keep building long‑term wealth while also funding his kids’ college education. Financially, he feels on track. It’s his packed schedule that’s the real challenge.
Kenji makes sure to:
- Enroll in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to buy shares at a 15% discount, with the flexibility to sell when the timing is right.
- Increase his 401(k) contribution from 6% to 8% to boost pre-tax retirement savings.
- Get in touch with Collegewise to confirm his monthly contributions to his kids’ 529 College Savings plans are on track, and explore additional resources to help prepare his family for the college journey.
- Look into NVIDIA’s Tuition Reimbursement Program, with an eye toward returning to school to expand his skills once the kids are out of the house.
- Schedule time with a well-being coach to make sure he’s not overwhelmed between work, kids, and day-to-day life. He also schedules a session for one of his children, who’s entering high school and is showing signs of stress.
- Review the company-wide Free Days and Holidays schedule and share it with his family so they can start planning their annual vacation.