Goldman Sachs executives are set to receive a significant windfall this year, with a bonus pool totaling up to $500 million (£378 million). This massive payout, intended for a group of 20 senior bankers, represents one of the most substantial compensation packages in the history of the Wall Street firm. Chief executive David Solomon is expected to receive roughly $100 million (£75.6 million) of this award in the form of company stock, more than double his record $47 million (£35.5 million) annual pay package from the previous year. With its chief executive, David Solomon, due to take about $100m (£75.6m) of the reward, which is made up of Goldman Sachs stock, the eye-watering sum will be shared between 20 bankers.
These bonuses are the result of a long-term incentive plan established in 2021. The final amount, which is slated for confirmation later this month, is linked to the bank’s share price performance over the last five years and how it has fared against competitors like Bank of America and JP Morgan. Since Solomon became CEO, the bank’s stock value has risen by approximately 300%, with a 146% surge recorded over the last five-year window. The $500m bonus pot is the culmination of a long-term investment plan first crafted by the bank in 2021.
Beyond the CEO, other senior leaders are also set to benefit, including president John Waldron—a likely successor to Solomon—as well as co-heads of global banking and markets, Ashok Varadhan and Dan Dees. The bank stated that these awards are designed to meet three goals: aligning compensation with strict performance metrics, ensuring leadership stability, and securing top talent in an increasingly competitive market.
A representative for the firm defended the move, noting that the board implemented these incentives to address talent retention and that the firm has performed exceptionally well. The announcement arrives just days before the company is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on 13 October.
This development follows a trend of large compensation packages across the financial sector. Earlier in 2025, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser received a record $42 million (£31.8 million) package, while JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon saw a 10% pay increase last year, taking home $43 million (£32.5 million). Dimon also holds a long-term incentive award estimated to be worth around $270 million (£204.1 million).
