EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
May 31, 2023
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS: EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN: The Company has a non-contributory, trusteed employee stock ownership plan for full-time employees who have completed three consecutive months of service and for part-time employees who have completed one year of service and have attained an age of 21. The Company can contribute either shares of the Company’s stock or cash to the plan. The contribution is determined annually by the Company and cannot exceed 15% of the annual aggregate salaries of those employees eligible for participation in the plan. On May 31, 2007, the Company converted the Aehr Test Systems Employee Stock Bonus Plan into the Aehr Test Systems Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”). The stock bonus plan was converted to an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) to enable the Plan to better comply with changes in the law regarding Company stock. Individuals’ account balances vest at a rate of 20% per year commencing upon completion of two years of service. Non-vested balances, which are forfeited following termination of employment, are allocated to the remaining employees in the Plan. Under the Plan provisions, each employee who reaches age fifty-five (55) and has been a participant in the Plan for ten years will be offered an election each year to direct the transfer of up to 25% of his/her ESOP account to the employee self-directed account in the Savings and Retirement Plan. For anyone who met the above prerequisites, the first election to diversify holdings was offered after May 31, 2008. In the sixth year, employees will be able to diversify up to 50% of their ESOP accounts. Contributions of $300,000 were authorized for the plan during fiscal 2023, $250,000 for 2022 and $60,000 for 2021. The contribution amounts are recorded as compensation expense in the period authorized and included in accrued expenses in the period authorized. Contributions of 29,832 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2023 for fiscal 2022. Contributions of 26,666 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2022 for fiscal 2021. Contributions of 36,000 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2021 for fiscal 2020. The contribution for fiscal 2023 will be made in fiscal 2024. Shares held in the ESOP are included in the EPS calculation. 401(K) PLAN: The Company maintains a defined contribution savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”) to provide retirement income to all qualified employees of the Company. The 401(k) Plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The 401(k) Plan is funded by voluntary pre-tax contributions from employees. Contributions are invested, as directed by the participant, in investment funds available under the 401(k) Plan. The Company is not required to make, and did not make, any contributions to the 401(k) Plan during fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

12 Months Ended

May 31, 2023

14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN:

The Company has a non-contributory, trusteed employee stock ownership plan for full-time employees who have completed three consecutive months of service and for part-time employees who have completed one year of service and have attained an age of 21. The Company can contribute either shares of the Company’s stock or cash to the plan. The contribution is determined annually by the Company and cannot exceed 15% of the annual aggregate salaries of those employees eligible for participation in the plan. On May 31, 2007, the Company converted the Aehr Test Systems Employee Stock Bonus Plan into the Aehr Test Systems Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”). The stock bonus plan was converted to an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) to enable the Plan to better comply with changes in the law regarding Company stock. Individuals’ account balances vest at a rate of 20% per year commencing upon completion of two years of service. Non-vested balances, which are forfeited following termination of employment, are allocated to the remaining employees in the Plan. Under the Plan provisions, each employee who reaches age fifty-five (55) and has been a participant in the Plan for ten years will be offered an election each year to direct the transfer of up to 25% of his/her ESOP account to the employee self-directed account in the Savings and Retirement Plan. For anyone who met the above prerequisites, the first election to diversify holdings was offered after May 31, 2008. In the sixth year, employees will be able to diversify up to 50% of their ESOP accounts. Contributions of $300,000 were authorized for the plan during fiscal 2023, $250,000 for 2022 and $60,000 for 2021. The contribution amounts are recorded as compensation expense in the period authorized and included in accrued expenses in the period authorized. Contributions of 29,832 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2023 for fiscal 2022. Contributions of 26,666 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2022 for fiscal 2021. Contributions of 36,000 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2021 for fiscal 2020. The contribution for fiscal 2023 will be made in fiscal 2024. Shares held in the ESOP are included in the EPS calculation.

401(K) PLAN:

The Company maintains a defined contribution savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”) to provide retirement income to all qualified employees of the Company. The 401(k) Plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The 401(k) Plan is funded by voluntary pre-tax contributions from employees. Contributions are invested, as directed by the participant, in investment funds available under the 401(k) Plan. The Company is not required to make, and did not make, any contributions to the 401(k) Plan during fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021.