I will be receiving some money soon and have been offered the choice between cash or securities.

What are securities?

Stocks and bonds or similar devices.

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Originally Posted by KongTheKonqueror

Stocks and bonds or similar devices.

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Are there any advantages to either? Tax wise and such? If I roll the cash into an IRA would that not be the same? Except I get to choose where it goes?

The major factor is whether they are securities of the company you work for or just mutual funds or stocks in general? If you work for a well known public company, you would be able to sell the securities basically when ever you want. If you work a private company, it would be harder to sell the securities.

Personally if they are offering company stock, I would take the cash. Since you are already working for the company, you are dependent upon them for your income. If you have money tied up in their stocks and they go out of business, you loose both your income and your savings.

Both securities and cash are considered ordinary income for taxation purpose.

Sorry, but I think even in the US, Capital Gains and Dividends are taxed much more favorably then interest income (cash and debt instruments). I strongly advise you to find an investment advisor you can trust. That will be more challenging then your investment decisions I fear =)