Microsoft offers buyout service to up to 7% of US employees

Microsoft is offering voluntary retirement buyouts for the first time in its 51-year history, according to reports from CNBC and Bloomberg.

According to an internal memo, employees will be eligible if their years of employment at Microsoft as well as their age are 70 or older, with some exceptions. So, if a 52-year-old has 18 years of service at Microsoft, they can qualify for a buyout.

The move gives Microsoft an opportunity to reduce its headcount in a way that is less risky than mass layoffs. Over the past few years, Microsoft has weathered several rounds of layoffs, affecting thousands of employees — most recently, the company cut… 9000 job opportunities Last summer.

The company had an estimated 125,000 U.S. employees as of June. The acquisitions will reportedly apply to 7% of the US workforce, amounting to approximately 8,750 employees.

TechCrunch has reached out to Microsoft for comment.