Goldman Sachs executives set to share record $500m bonus pool

Senior executives at Goldman Sachs are positioned to receive a combined bonus of up to $500m, representing one of the largest compensation packages in the bank’s history. The total sum is scheduled to be distributed among 20 senior bankers, with chief executive David Solomon expected to receive approximately $100m. This individual award is composed of Goldman Sachs stock and exceeds double the value of the record $47m annual pay packet granted to Solomon in the previous year.

The proposed payout is the final result of a long-term investment plan initially established by the bank in 2021. The definitive figure, which is expected to be confirmed later this month, is contingent upon the performance of Goldman’s share price over the preceding five years. It also incorporates a comparative analysis of the stock’s performance against peers such as JP Morgan and Bank of America during the same period. The bank stated that these bonuses are designed to retain senior leadership in an increasingly competitive market.

John Waldron, the bank’s president who is widely anticipated to succeed Solomon as chief executive, is also expected to receive a portion of the bonus. Other senior figures in line for payouts include Ashok Varadhan and Dan Dees, who serve as co-heads of global banking and markets. The news of the substantial bonus emerged days before Goldman Sachs is due to report its third-quarter earnings on 13 October. The compensation reflects the significant rise in the value of Goldman Sachs stock, which has increased by roughly 146% over the past five years and climbed by approximately 300% since Solomon assumed the role of chief executive.

A spokesperson for the bank explained that the board created these awards to align compensation with rigorous performance thresholds, ensure leadership continuity, and enhance the retention of top talent. The spokesperson noted that the firm has performed exceptionally well in recent years. These payouts follow a trend of large executive bonuses across the US financial sector, particularly on Wall Street. Citigroup announced earlier this year that its chief executive, Jane Fraser, received a record $42m for 2025. Meanwhile, JP Morgan’s chief executive, Jamie Dimon, received a total pay package worth $43m last year, a 10% increase from the prior year, with his long-term incentive award valued at approximately $270m.