IBM Benefits

401k is only matched after 1 year of employment and you just be employed on Dec 31st of that year to receive the match. Both high and low deductible medical plans available. Company gives HSA money if you complete simple health tasks.

401k matching is above average. Vacation time is good, especially for senior developers. Health benefits are great if you stay close to home, beyond that they are questionable. Very flexible work hours, flex Friday afternoons.

Good medical benefits and 401 k match

Since, I was an intern I didn't receive a benefits package and therefore don't have any knowledge as to what IBM offers in terms of benefits.

Best: 1) healthy living rewards 2) Having Fidelity as the 401K handler 3) Tools to assist in investment/financial planning Worst (note each Div in IBM has different benefits packages so its hard to compare): 1) if you don't stay until Jan 1 of new year you do not get your 401K match from the previous year 2) if you don't stay until the bonus pay out day in March, you don't get it 3) there is no cash/treasury option in the 401K. You have to be fully invested in the market 4) bonus' amounts are pretty arbitrary even though there is a mandated corp methodology in place 5) Getting a sabbatical seems only applicable if you are a researcher or someone not in a critical space. Otherwise you are left with two choices, not taking one or leaving.

Inexpensive medical insurance for employee; very expensive medical insurance for spouse and family

Unlimited sick days, 18 vacation days per year

they decrease every year and get more expensive

As a contractor you get no benefits.

The best thing is that you do have a lot of options. The worst all very expensive. The deductable and max out of pocket can be upwards of 12K.