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Imagine retiring in your 40s.

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That might sound like a pipe dream.

But it is an achievable goal.

It can be done if youre ambitious enough, and if you use the right financial strategies.

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These are a kind of compensation your employer might offer.

Here arefive ways your employee stock ownership can help you retire early.

Understanding Your Company Stock Options

Company stock comes in different forms.

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You might receive stock options, restricted stock units, or shares through an employee stock purchase plan.

Each punch in has its own rules about when and how it’s possible for you to use them.

Take time to learn exactly what your company offers.

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Some plans require you to stay with the company for a certain time.

Others let you dive into the value more quickly.

Understand how your specific plan works so you know how it can fit into your retirement goals.

This can potentially grow a lot faster than traditional investments, tooespecially if youre working for a high-growth company.

Earning Dividends

Owning company stock can mean you earn income in the form of dividends.

If your company pays dividends, youll receive regular payments just by holding onto your shares.

Income from dividends can potentially become a big part of your overall wealth.

This can bring you closer to early retirement, and with less effort on your part.

Asmall stock option grantcould eventually become worth a lot more.

And if your company is successful, the value of its stock can increase quickly.

This is especially true if youre there during the companys early growth.

If youre trying to retire in your 40s, growth like this can make all the difference.

Youre doing more than just saving money, youre letting your employee benefits work for you.

Instead of using your after-tax income to buy stocks, you get thepotential investment growthdirectly from work.

This could mean saving thousands in your fees and taxes.

If youre planning to retire early, this is one of themost efficient strategiesyou can use.

you might build a strong investment portfolio without spending much of your own money at all.

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