Another angle is that many social security systems and other benefits are tied to your actual salary, not your bonus. This affects unemployment benefits, severa

Another angle is that many social security systems and other benefits are tied to your actual salary, not your bonus. This affects unemployment benefits, severance, pensions, etc, and it's easy to forget that during good times. Also, words are wind, and your employer can claim as much as he likes that your bonus is a super-duper-sure thing, but unlike an actual salary, it can be revoked instantly for no reason, and you have no legal recourse.