1.1 From Taboo to Transparency: What’s Next for U.S. Salary and Equity Disclosure Laws

U.S. pay transparency laws are rapidly evolving, bringing one of the last workplace taboos—discussing salaries—into the open. New and proposed legislation requires employers to disclose compensation details to both prospective and existing employees, including posting salaries in job listings. While long-established in the public sector, these laws represent a major shift for private companies, with variations across states and jurisdictions. Some regions, such as Massachusetts, are expected to extend reporting requirements to all forms of compensation, including equity from company stock plans. This panel will provide an overview of current and emerging pay transparency requirements, explore how equity reporting is affected, and address challenges such as implications for remote workers across multiple jurisdictions. Attendees will leave with practical insights and foundational tools to ensure compliant and efficient reporting.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Understanding the evolving landscape of U.S. pay transparency laws and their impact on private sector employers.
  • How equity compensation reporting is affected, including jurisdictional and remote work considerations.
  • Practical strategies to implement compliant reporting processes and address challenges proactively.
Speaker/Author

Chris Dohrmann, FGE, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions
Silvana Nuzzo, Pay Governance
Melissa Jackmin, Mohawk Industries

Event date
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 10:30 - 11:20
Plan type
Country
Breakout series
Location
Park A/B

6.1 The Equity Games: Battle of the Global Stock Plans

Get ready for a fresh, interactive take on the ever-evolving world of global stock plan administration. This high-energy session blends valuable learning with fast-paced fun and a little friendly competition. Participants will explore the latest updates and trends in global equity while testing their knowledge through a lively trivia challenge with fellow equity professionals. Along the way, you’ll tackle real-world scenarios, gain insights on topics ranging from global mobility strategies and ESPPs to 10b5-1 planning, Section 16 & Rule 144 filings, tax withholding, payroll optimization, 409A valuations, and financial reporting best practices. Expect practical learning, peer connection, and maybe even a prize—plus bragging rights for the trivia champs.
 

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Stay current on emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in global equity.
  • Strengthen technical knowledge across compliance, administration, and reporting.
  • Apply learning in real-time through an interactive, game-based trivia format.
Speaker/Author

Rob Miceli, Bank of America
David Lanka, Bank of America
Susan Ford, Cytel
Tara Hagen, FGE, Aon
Shantale Greenson, Alkermes

Event date
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 16:25 - 17:15
Plan type
Country
Breakout series
Location
Park A/B

1.1 Turning Complexity into Clarity: Navigating CGT for Share Plan Participants

Navigating Capital Gains Tax (CGT) can be a daunting challenge for UK employees, but NatWest Group is turning complexity into clarity. This session will explore how NatWest supports employees throughout the CGT journey—from initial awareness to understanding available options, such as ISA, pension, or spousal/civil partner transfers, through to confidently completing tax returns. Central to this approach is NatWest’s bespoke CGT base cost calculator, which simplifies calculations across multiple share plans while serving as an educational resource. Attendees will discover how effective tools, resources, and guidance can transform a complex tax scenario into an engaging and empowering employee experience, increasing appreciation for the value of share ownership across the organization.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • How to provide employees with practical tools and guidance to navigate CGT across multiple share plans. 
  • The impact of effective CGT support on employee engagement, confidence, and overall experience. 
  • Lessons from NatWest’s approach to transforming complex tax scenarios into accessible and educational experiences.
Speaker/Author

David Edwards, NatWest
Alex Cook, Deloitte
Andrew Moreton, Deloitte

Event date
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 10:35 - 11:35
Plan type
Country
Breakout series
Location
Monument
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O
IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
22 April 2026, 7 - 11:59pm CDT
25TH GEO AWARDS
GEO Awards

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types
Global

ATTEND THE 25TH GEO AWARDS GALA

Join the global share plan community in Austin, Texas on 22 April 2026 as we celebrate the 25th GEO Awards.

This milestone event will take place in the Lone Star Ballroom of the JW Marriott Austin, where we will honor the most innovative and impactful share plan and executive compensation strategies from around the world.

The celebration continues with an exclusive after party at The Edge rooftop, offering spectacular views and the perfect setting to connect with peers and friends across the GEO community.

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

LIVE WEBCAST
9 October 2025, 11am - 1pm EDT
SHARE PLAN EXCEL ESSENTIALS
BOOTCAMP

Virtual

Operational effectiveness
All plan types
Global

EXCEL ESSENTIALS FOR SHARE PLANS

Join us for a comprehensive hands-on session that takes you through the Excel essentials tailored for managing and optimizing share plan data. This stand-alone course provides attendees with a practical, interactive experience designed to enhance your proficiency in working with common functions and real-world scenarios.

In this course, you will: 

  • Learn essential Excel tools tailored for share plan management
  • Solve common share plan challenges through interactive exercises
  • Use Excel to analyze, interpret, and make informed decisions

COST
Please refer to our Event Attendee Terms and Conditions for information.

Members: 129.00
Non-Members:159.00

ATTN: Bootcamp registrants!  If you have enrolled (or are planning to enroll) for the October 2025 Virtual Bootcamp program, this course is included in your registration. You do not have to sign up for this course.

ANY QUESTIONS? 
Please contact GEO's Program Services.

 

ARTICLE
25 July 2025
NEW BILL IN CONGRESS WOULD REWARD COMPANIES THAT GIVE STOCK TO RANK-AND-FILE EMPLOYEES
External News

CNBC

Legal and regulatory
All plan types
USA

A new bipartisan proposal, the SHARE Act, would give public companies a 3% corporate tax rate discount if they distribute at least 5% of their stock to the lowest-paid 80% of employees. Sponsors project the plan could transfer nearly $4 trillion in stock value to about 40 million middle-class Americans, helping narrow wealth inequality while boosting employee ownership and loyalty. Companies could offset share dilution through the tax break, and stock awards would be tax-deductible for businesses and tax-free for employees.

ARTICLE
24 August 2025
EXEMPTION GRANTED TO EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES IN TAX YEAR 2025-26
External News

Pkrevenue.com

Finance, tax and accounting
All plan types

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has granted tax exemptions for employee share schemes under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 for the 2025–26 tax year, removing immediate tax liability when options are granted. Tax is only applied later, depending on the scheme’s structure—such as when transfer restrictions are lifted, shares are issued, or rights/options are sold. This reform is designed to encourage companies to adopt share schemes, align employee incentives with company growth, and ease tax burdens for workers.

ARTICLE
27 August 2025
PISCES: A GAME-CHANGER FOR PRIVATE MARKET LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL FORMATION IN THE UK
External News

AI Invest

Private and pre-IPO companies
All plan types
UK and Channel Islands

The UK’s new Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES), launched in 2025 under a five-year regulatory sandbox, creates a regulated platform for intermittent trading of private company shares, bridging the gap between private and public markets. It provides liquidity for employees and early investors, offers pension funds and institutions access to private equity in line with regulatory goals, and allows companies to control trading parameters while retaining capital structure flexibility. While PISCES enhances transparency and capital formation, it does not guarantee continuous liquidity or raise new capital, making due diligence and governance alignment critical for both investors and private firms.

ARTICLE
27 August 2025
NEW TAX BILL AIMS TO ATTRACT MIGRANTS TO NEW ZEALAND
External News

DLA Piper

Finance, tax and accounting
All plan types
New Zealand

The New Zealand Government’s new tax bill introduces measures to attract migrants and ease compliance, including a special “non-resident visitor” rule allowing digital nomads to work in New Zealand for up to 275 days without income tax, and a new foreign investment fund calculation method (RAM) to simplify tax for migrants on overseas shares. Key domestic changes include deferred tax timing for employee share schemes in unlisted companies, phased increases to KiwiSaver employer contributions, and tax exemptions for income from residential solar electricity sales. Other updates clarify SaaS exemptions from non-resident contractors’ tax, align PIE rules for cryptoassets, and repeal certain trust disclosure and taxpayer information provisions to simplify reporting.

ARTICLE
14 August 2025
‘BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’ AFFECTS TAX PLANNING FOR STOCK OPTIONS AND RSUS
External News

Forbes

Finance, tax and accounting
All plan types
USA

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) brings several tax changes that affect equity compensation, including raising the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029, though the benefit phases out for incomes above $500,000. It also alters Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) rules beginning in 2026, making it more likely high earners exercising incentive stock options will trigger the AMT. Additionally, the law expands Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits and shortens holding periods for capital gains exclusions, while adding new limits on charitable deductions starting in 2026.