GM Family First: How the GM Employee Discount Works

GM Family First is GM's employee discount program. Active and retired GM and GM Financial employees get six authorization numbers a year, each valid 90 days, to buy or lease new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicles at the employee price — for themselves or eligible relatives. The vehicle must be kept six months.

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

Who can use GM employee pricing

GM's rules define eligible participants as:

Active GM and GM Financial employees
Retired GM and GM Financial employees
Former GM employees with more than 5 years of cumulative service
Widows and widowers of former GM employees with more than 5 years of cumulative service

GM Family First authorization numbers by participant

GM Employee Discount Program: authorization numbers per year and who each participant can sponsor
Participant	Authorization numbers per year	Can sponsor
Active or retired GM / GM Financial employee	6	Full relative list (see below)
Former GM employee, 20+ years of service (or surviving spouse)	6	Full relative list
Former GM employee, 5–20 years of service (or surviving spouse)	3	Spouse and dependent children (under 21, or full-time students under 25)

Counts are combined across the Employee Discount Program and the EV Employee Allowance. Each authorization number is valid for 90 days from issue. Source: GM Employee Discount Program Rules and Guidelines, read November 3, 2026.

Which family members qualify

GM's rules give the full relative list to eligible active, retired and former GM employees with at least 20 years of cumulative service, surviving spouses of 20-year former employees, and active or retired GM Financial employees. They can sponsor their:

Spouse, and domestic partner (active GM salaried employees only; the partner must be registered through Fidelity)
Children, stepchildren, grandchildren and step-grandchildren
Parents, stepparents and grandparents (including in-law and step)
Siblings (full, half and step), brothers- and sisters-in-law
Mothers- and fathers-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law
Aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews

GM notes that people employed by a government organization may be restricted from sponsorship by government rules. GM has the final decision on eligibility and may audit with documents such as marriage or birth certificates.

How to use GM Family First, step by step

The GM participant signs in at gmfamilyfirst.com and requests an authorization number for themselves or the relative.
The purchaser’s date of birth and ZIP code must match the driver’s license they bring to the dealer.
Give the number to a participating dealer before the deal is completed — the dealer must have it to deliver the vehicle.
Review the Customer-Dealer Agreement and Pricing Sheet: the program price must match the price from the vehicle invoice. GM says not to sign a blank or incomplete form.
Keep the vehicle at least six months (cash or loan) and title it to the purchaser or their living trust.

Fees, inducements and what dealers can charge

Documentation fees are capped at $75 unless state law specifies a fee or the dealer charges all customers the same fee.
Purchasers may accept only GM-sponsored incentives from dealers, plus non-cash items worth up to $50 (and a fuel fill).
Dealer participation is voluntary; if one dealer declines, another may sell at the program price.
GM may restrict certain new models during launch; eligible vehicles are listed on gmfamilyfirst.com.

GM Family First vs GM Supplier Discount

GM Employee Discount (Family First) compared with the GM Supplier Discount
Rule	GM Family First (employees)	GM Supplier Discount
Who	GM / GM Financial employees, retirees, eligible former employees	Employees of eligible GM suppliers and fleet customers
Annual limit	6 authorizations (3 for 5–20-year former employees)	2 vehicles per calendar year
Family use	Sponsor eligible relatives directly	1 share per program purchase, within 1 year
Authorization validity	90 days	90 days
Retention	6 months	6 months
Doc fee cap	$75 (with exceptions)	$75 (with exceptions)

Full supplier rules are in our GM Supplier Discount guide. If you are not eligible for either, published incentives and transaction data are the next-best reference — see current best discounts by model.

Using employee pricing on a Chevy? Check the factory options first

The employee price is tied to the specific vehicle, so its options decide the number. Check the exact factory options of the vehicle before you buy — or of any used GM vehicle you are weighing against it. Enter the VIN on the Chevrolet build sheet page: the availability check is free, and you pay $9.99 only if build data exists for that VIN.

Chevrolet build sheet by VIN

Free availability check first · $9.99 one-time only if build data exists for the VIN · shows the factory-ordered option (RPO) codes on record, not every code on the glovebox label · no subscription

FAQ

What is GM Family First?

GM Family First (gmfamilyfirst.com) is where General Motors runs its Employee Discount Program. Eligible active and retired GM and GM Financial employees — and relatives they sponsor — can buy or lease new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles at the GM employee program price at participating dealers.

How many GM employee discount authorization numbers do you get?

Active and retired GM and GM Financial employees get six authorization numbers per year, combined between the Employee Discount Program and the EV Employee Allowance. Former employees with 5–20 years of service get three; former employees with at least 20 years get six. Each number is valid for 90 days.

Which family members qualify for the GM employee discount?

Under GM’s rules, sponsors with full rights (eligible active, retired and 20-year former GM employees, and GM Financial employees and retirees) can cover a spouse, domestic partner (active salaried employees only), children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, grandparents, parents, stepparents, siblings, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Former employees with 5–20 years of service can sponsor only a spouse and dependent children.

Can friends use the GM employee discount?

Not under GM’s Employee Discount Program rules, which list eligible relatives only. Selling or giving an authorization number to an ineligible person is prohibited and carries a five-year suspension per violation plus repayment of the incentive money.

How long do you have to keep a car bought with GM employee pricing?

At least six months from delivery if you buy with cash or a loan, per GM’s rules. The vehicle must be for personal, non-commercial use and titled to the participant or sponsored purchaser (or their living trust).

Is GM Family First the same as the GM Supplier Discount?

No. Family First covers GM employees, retirees and their relatives. The GM Supplier Discount covers employees of eligible GM suppliers and fleet customers, with a limit of two vehicles per year and one share per purchase.

Sources

General Motors — Employee Discount Program Rules and Guidelines (gmfamilyfirst.com, PDF, Rev. 1/2/26) — eligible participants, sponsored relatives, authorization limits, 90-day validity, retention, titling, $75 doc fee
General Motors — GM Family First program site
General Motors — GM Supplier Discount Rules and Guidelines (PDF) — for the comparison with the supplier program

Program terms come from GM's Employee Discount Program Rules and Guidelines (GM-1775, Rev. 1/2/26), read on November 3, 2026. GM can change or withdraw the program at any time; the rules on gmfamilyfirst.com govern.