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GameStop Employees Are Losing Stores, Paying More for Benefits, and Getting Squeezed

Every other company on this site has problems. GameStop’s are existential. The company closed 590 stores in 2024 and announced roughly 296 more closures in January 2026, with many employees getting just days of notice. Benefits premiums increased for 2026. The average Game Advisor salary is about $28,544 per year. And the employee discount, which is supposed to be one of the main perks, excludes new consoles.

If you’re still working at GameStop, here’s what your benefits situation looks like right now and what to prepare for.

Do This: Check Your Benefits Elections Immediately

Everything is managed through GameStop Workday (myworkday.gamestop.com) and Okta SSO (gamestop.okta.com). Pay statements and W-2s are through ADP (my.adp.com or w2.adp.com). The employee discount account is at gamestop.com/employee.

Do this: Log into Workday and review your current benefits elections. Screenshot or save your plan summaries, especially if your store is on or near the closure list. Once your employment ends, portal access can disappear quickly.

Don’t do this: Assume your benefits are the same as last year. Premiums increased for 2026. Check your per-paycheck deductions against what you expected.

For login help, see the GameStop login portals guide.

Health Insurance: Available but More Expensive

GameStop offers medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time employees. Plan options and premiums are available through Workday.

The 2026 premium increases hit at a bad time. With GameStop’s average pay among the lowest in specialty retail, higher insurance costs take a bigger bite out of each paycheck. If you’re on a plan that now costs more than you can afford, explore whether switching to a lower-tier option saves you money without sacrificing the coverage you actually use.

Part-time and seasonal Game Advisors generally do not qualify for health insurance through GameStop. If you’re part-time without employer coverage, check healthcare.gov for individual plans or see if you qualify for Medicaid.

Open enrollment runs annually. If you missed the last window, you’ll need a qualifying life event to make changes. Losing your job due to a store closure counts as a qualifying event for purchasing individual coverage.

Dental and vision are separate elections. If you’re on a tight budget, evaluate whether you actually use dental and vision coverage enough to justify the premiums. For a young, healthy Game Advisor earning $28,000, every dollar of premium matters.

The Reality of GameStop’s Financial Situation

It’s worth being direct about this: GameStop’s future is uncertain. The company has been transitioning from physical game sales toward collectibles, pre-owned, and digital. Bitcoin and crypto investments have been controversial. CEO Ryan Cohen’s compensation package has drawn criticism. Store count is shrinking every quarter.

None of this means your benefits will disappear tomorrow. But it does mean you should treat GameStop benefits as something that could change with short notice. Keep your resume updated. Stay aware of your 401(k) balance and know how to roll it over. Have a plan for health insurance if your store closes. Being prepared isn’t pessimism; it’s practical given the circumstances.

The Employee Discount: Good on Paper, Frustrating in Practice

GameStop employees get 15-25% off games, accessories, collectibles, and pre-owned items. During store closure periods, trade-in bonuses can reach 20% above standard value. The Corporate Shopping platform offers additional deals from outside retailers.

Don’t do this: Expect to use your discount on new consoles. New game consoles are excluded from the employee discount. Given that consoles are the highest-ticket items in the store and the thing most gaming employees actually want to buy, this exclusion is the number one complaint about GameStop’s discount policy.

Do this: Use the discount on accessories, pre-owned games, and collectibles where the 15-25% savings adds up. On a $60 pre-owned game, you’re saving $9-15. On controllers, headsets, and peripherals, the savings are meaningful if you buy regularly.

Full details on the GameStop employee discounts page.

401(k) and Retirement

GameStop offers a 401(k) for eligible employees through ADP. The match terms and eligibility requirements are available in your plan documents through Workday.

Given the uncertainty around GameStop’s future, it’s worth thinking about your 401(k) strategy. If you’re young and plan to leave eventually, don’t ignore the 401(k) because you think the company won’t be around. Your 401(k) balance belongs to you regardless of what happens to GameStop. The funds are held by the plan administrator (ADP), not by GameStop itself.

If you leave or get laid off, see what happens to your 401(k) when you quit.

PTO and Paid Time Off

PTO is available for eligible GameStop employees. The specific accrual rates and eligibility requirements are in Workday. Employees report informal pressure against using PTO, particularly in stores with skeleton crews. With many stores operating with just 2-3 employees, taking a day off means someone else has to cover your hours, and managers don’t always make that easy.

For PTO details, see the GameStop PTO policies page.

Life Insurance and Other Coverage

GameStop provides basic life insurance for eligible full-time employees at no cost. Supplemental life insurance is available during open enrollment. Short-term and long-term disability are also available for full-time employees, though the premium increases for 2026 have affected these costs too.

The EAP provides free counseling and support services. Given the stress of working at a company with constant closure announcements and an uncertain future, the EAP is a resource worth using if you need it.

What to Do If Your Store Is Closing

If you’re in a store that’s shutting down:

Do this: Save or print your benefits plan documents from Workday while you still have access. Download your pay stubs and W-2 information from ADP. Update your personal email address in the system so any post-employment communications reach you.

Do this: Ask your district manager about transfer opportunities to nearby GameStop locations. The company has said it will try to place affected employees, but the pool of open positions shrinks with each closure round.

Do this: Understand your options for COBRA health insurance after job loss. If you were on GameStop’s health plan, you’re eligible to continue coverage through COBRA, but you’ll pay the full premium yourself. Depending on your income, an ACA Marketplace plan may be cheaper.

Don’t do this: Wait for someone to tell you what happens next. The communication from GameStop during store closures has been inconsistent. Some employees have received reasonable notice; others have walked in to find a “closing” sign. Be proactive about your benefits paperwork.

Do this: File for unemployment benefits if your store closes and you don’t find immediate work. A store closure is an involuntary separation, which qualifies you for unemployment in every state.

Other Benefits

EAP: Available for employees and household members. Free counseling and support services.

Life insurance: Basic coverage for eligible employees.

Corporate Shopping: Discount platform with deals at outside retailers.

For all the context on post-separation options, see the GameStop benefits after termination page. Contact GameStop HR through Workday or see the GameStop HR contact guide. Visit the GameStop hub page for all resources.