Your Novartis Benefits & Career: Financial Planning for Employees and Executives

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Brian Thorp

Brian Thorp is the founder and CEO of Wealthtender and Editor-in-Chief. Prior to founding Wealthtender, Brian spent nearly 22 years in multiple leadership roles at Invesco. With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.

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Do you work at Novartis? Get the resources you need and expert insights from financial professionals who specialize in helping Novartis employees make the most of their compensation package and benefits.

Whether you’re a new Novartis employee or you’ve moved up the ranks into a management or executive leadership role over a multi-year career, it’s important to make smart money moves with your income and employee benefits. For example:

✅ Do you know the right moves to make to get the greatest value from the Novartis benefits available to you?

✅If you’re thinking about leaving Novartis for another job or planning to retire from the company in a few years, are you taking the right steps today to ensure you will receive all of the compensation and benefits that you’ve earned?

Get the Most Value from Your Novartis Benefits and Compensation Package

Throughout the year, Novartis provides its employees and executives with updates about their benefits ranging from health insurance and health savings plans to retirement plans like a 401(k), deferred compensation plans, and stock options. While the company offers many useful resources and access to knowledgeable staff who can assist with questions, you’ll also find financial professionals not affiliated with Novartis who specialize in helping Novartis employees make the most of their income and benefits.

Whether you work at Novartis US headquarters in East Hanover, New Jersey, another office location around the country, or remotely from home, you may have questions about your compensation package and benefits that are better suited for a financial professional who can offer unbiased advice and guidance.

For example, sensitive topics like discussing the steps you should take before quitting your job at Novartis to work elsewhere, protecting yourself in advance of a corporate layoff, or deciding when you should plan to retire are all conversations that may be more comfortable with a trusted financial advisor.

💡 In the Q&A below, you’ll gain insights from financial advisors who work with Novartis employees to help them make smart decisions to get the most value from their compensation and benefits, reduce their money stress, and prepare for a comfortable retirement.

🙋‍♀️ Do you have questions not yet answered? Use the form below to submit questions anonymously and watch this article for updates with answers to your questions. You can also reach out to the financial advisors below to set up an introductory call or contact them with your questions by email.

💸 Smart Money Insights for Novartis Employees & Executives

This page is organized into sections to help you quickly find the information you need and get answers to your questions:

1. Q&A: Financial Planning Tips for Novartis Employees & Executives
2. Get Answers to Your Questions About Your Novartis Benefits and Career
3. Browse Related Articles

Q&A: Financial Planning Tips for Novartis Employees & Executives

Answers to Employee Questions with Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA®

Hazel Secco is a financial advisor based in Hoboken, New Jersey who specializes in offering financial planning services to Novartis employees. Hazel helps her clients get the most value from their Novartis benefits and compensation package so they can enjoy life and feel confident about their financial future.

Q: As a financial advisor with experience helping Novartis employees save for their retirement, how do you help them make the most of their employee benefits?

Hazel: I help Novartis employees get a clear understanding of their Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), the tax implications, and how they can make the most of it in the long run. With a 15% discount on company shares, the ESPP can be a valuable benefit—but timing is key. For instance, to qualify for long-term capital gains treatment, it’s important to hold the shares for at least two years from the grant date and one year from the purchase date. Taking these steps can help them make the most of their ESPP and keep more of their gains in the long term.

For executives awarded long-term incentive shares through the annual Select Awards Program, planning ahead is key. Once the vesting period ends, I suggest they consider selling shares gradually to avoid over-concentration in company stock—especially if they’re also participating in the ESPP. These strategies can help them manage their risk and make the most of their benefits.

Company stock can accumulate quickly especially when they’re executives, who participate in the ESPP and receive stock awards. This can shift their overall asset allocation quickly if they’re not paying close attention. I know that pharma executives, especially at Novartis, work tirelessly—particularly during crucial periods like drug releases—and often don’t have the time or energy to focus on these details.

Q: For Novartis employees who have managed their finances on their own to this point, what would you suggest they consider to help them decide if they should begin working with a financial advisor at this stage in their lives?

Hazel: In my experience, people who take retirement seriously and want to make the most of their savings, employee benefits, and tax planning tend to benefit the most from working with a financial advisor. If someone is simply looking for advice on their investment portfolio, they might not need a financial planner. However, if they’re ready to benefit from a professional who truly understands their needs and values—and can help them avoid costly mistakes down the road—that’s when it makes sense to consider working with a financial advisor.

Get to Know Hazel Secco Financial Advisor for Novartis Employees:

View Hazel’s profile page on Wealthtender or visit her website to learn more.

Q: What questions do you recommend Novartis employees ask financial advisors they’re considering hiring to help them decide if they’re a good fit?

Hazel: They should ask who the financial advisors typically work with. It’s a good idea to interview them and get a sense of their experience with equity compensation and their knowledge of the tax implications related to stock-based compensation. ESPP and long-term incentive shares can be a significant part of retirement assets, so finding someone who understands these areas is key. Also, ask if they specialize in tax planning, as a good advisor can add real value by providing strategies to reduce taxes over a lifetime—not just this year’s taxes. A financial advisor who understands income projections and proactive tax management can make a big difference.

Q: Is there a particularly memorable experience or a moment you recall with a client who worked at Novartis when you realized they have unique opportunities and circumstances when it comes to their financial planning needs?

Hazel: The pharmaceutical industry, like Novartis, can be unpredictable, with unexpected layoffs creating uncertainty. This often makes Novartis employees and executives anxious about sudden financial events. When layoffs happen, it’s tough to know what steps to take, both emotionally and financially—especially when equity compensation is involved. That’s where we come in. As a lifelong financial partner to our clients at Novartis, we help them fully understand their options and prepare for the unexpected, so they’re never navigating these challenges alone.

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About the Author

Brian Thorp

Founder and CEO, Wealthtender

Brian and his wife live in Texas, enjoying the diversity of Houston and the vibrancy of Austin.

With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.

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