Phantom Stock Plans

Definition of "Phantom stock plans"

Joanne Durann, Real Estate Agent Keller Williams South Shore

Plans that are similar to stock appreciation rights (SARS) in that an employee is granted a contractual right by the employer to a stipulated number of units in the business, which is really a percentage of the business. As the value of the business increases, the value of these units increase. At the end of a stipulated period of time, the employee either can receive additional income based on the appreciation of the value of these units or can convert these units into an equity ownership in the business. Thus, the employee has a vested interest in the business increasing in value.