Originally Posted by
symbian simian
Disagree. Take it all, put it in savings, give it back if you leave. You never know what will happen to the bonus program. Better one check in the hand than 10 in the air or something....
The problem with this though is if you leave within the first year you have to pay back the gross amount, not the net. So in theory, you'd have to pay pack the entire bonus, including the 22% supplemental tax you already generously provided to the Federal Govt. If you do see yourself leaving within the first year or two, deferral is the way to go.
Not sure how'd that work for end of the year taxes, but can't imagine it would be easy.
An added benefit of the deferral is that it will give you more money with regards to the company 401K match. Although, in year 2 you have to start paying ALPA fees, and that includes your bonus if I'm not mistaken...
Also, if the bonus program did disappear, you would still get your money if you opted for a deferral. I wouldn't consider that when thinking about deferring or not. Different story if they went out of Business.