The AI boom has significantly driven up the valuations of chip manufacturers and, consequently, the incomes of their employees. Particularly, those whose compensation packages are closely tied to company equity have witnessed substantial returns. Typically, equity awards are structured to vest over several years, meaning that employees who choose to leave the company prematurely stand to forfeit a considerable portion of their potential earnings. To safeguard their invaluable talent pool, industry leaders such as Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom have strategically implemented equity incentive plans, often referred to as 'golden handcuffs,' to ensure the continued loyalty of their key personnel. These companies have even further tightened their equity incentive policies in recent times.

Data reveals that since 2023, the stock price appreciation of Broadcom, Nvidia, and AMD has dramatically outpaced that of tech behemoths like Google. This surge has led to a significant increase in the value of stock awards held by some employees. Consequently, a segment of the workforce has found itself in a 'semi-retired' state, enjoying the fruits of their equity stakes. On the flip side, others have suffered the loss of their unvested stocks amidst layoffs. Given the high returns at stake, employees are naturally hesitant to leave their current positions, with Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) effectively serving as a 'golden handcuff' to retain talent within these organizations.