S
Sam's Economics

See what negotiating your severance is actually worth

Enter what's on the offer, then adjust the sliders to see what a calm, specific negotiation could realistically add — before you sign anything.

Your situation

Start with what's on your offer letter.

The Basics
$30k$400k
030 yrs
Offer On The Table
052 wks
012 mo
$200$3,000
040 days
What You'd Negotiate For
+0+26 wks
+0+12 mo
$0$100k
$0$1,500
WHAT NEGOTIATING COULD ADD
—

Adjust the sliders on the left to see the real dollar gap between the offer as printed and a calmly negotiated package.

Offer as printed
—
Negotiated package
—
Net of attorney fee
—

Offer vs. negotiated, by line item

Each severance component, compared side by side.

As printed Negotiated
Line itemOfferNegotiatedNewGap
Defaults reproduce the Marcus and Priya example from the video: $85,000 salary, 6 weeks offered, 2 months of COBRA, negotiated to 10 weeks and 4 months; COBRA at $793 a month is the 2025 national average single-plan premium plus the 2% COBRA fee. If you are 40 or older and the agreement releases age-discrimination claims, federal law gives you at least 21 days to consider it (45 in a group layoff) and 7 days to revoke after signing. Illustrative estimate, not legal or financial advice. Actual severance formulas, COBRA costs, and negotiability vary by employer, state, and individual circumstances. For anything involving a non-compete or a release of legal claims, a licensed employment attorney's review is strongly recommended before signing.

Get the full breakdown — the 5-step framework, the Marcus vs. Priya worked example, and a blank worksheet.

Download the PDF guide

Get Sam's next calculator first

The calculator and the PDF guide are free. If you'd like an email when Sam releases a new calculator or video, leave your address here.

Optional. No spam, and you can unsubscribe anytime.

Please enter a valid email.