But given the explanation above, everyone would see a drop after year 4, regardless or promotions. If you happen to get a promotion and a big refresh perfectly

But given the explanation above, everyone would see a drop after year 4, regardless or promotions. If you happen to get a promotion and a big refresh perfectly timed with that initial grant ending, you may be able to level off the cliff, but that's just pure happenstance. If you had gotten the promotion grant a year sooner, you would've ended up seeing the drop the next year.