The corporation is preparing to launch a buyout program for some of its staff in the US, offering monetary compensation to those who agree to retire early.

The proposal will affect approximately 7% of the US state and will be available only to employees whose combined age and service at Microsoft exceeds 70 years. This is the first such step in the half-century history of a company that has previously undertaken several waves of layoffs, including the firing of six thousand people in May and nine thousand in July 2025.

The program is positioned as a soft alternative to forced layoffs, and targets the most experienced workers, many of whom may have themselves considered taking time off. Specific pay amounts are not disclosed, but such schemes typically involve several months' salary as compensation for agreeing to leave early.