Retention Bonus: Definition And Explanation

Try for freeStart for freeHomeAboutPricingProductAI Recruiter UwiLet Uwi recruit talent on autopilot for youTry me!CAPABILITIESCapabilities overviewFull cycle recruitment automationAI screeningLanguage model driven AI profile screening RecruitGPTAI candidate search powered by GPTAuto-engageAutomated and hyper-personalized outreachSee interactive demoIntegrationsHelp articlesHow does HeroHunt.ai compare?Use casesFind all LinkedIn profilesFor a fraction of the priceSearch other platformsGitHub, Stack Overflow and moreAutomate outreachRecruit talent on autopilotFind verified contact detailsWith the best response ratesRecruit talent globallyFind any candidate worldwideHow does HeroHunt.ai work?KnowledgeBlogBecome a better recruiterRecruitment glossaryRecruiting definitionsRecruiting Q&AAnswers to your questionsDirectoriesAI recruiting guideRead it here< full glossaryRetention Bonusdefinition, synonyms and explanationSynonyms: retention pay, stay bonusWhat is Retention Bonus

A retention bonus is a sum of money that an employer offers to an employee in order to encourage them to stay with the company for a certain period of time.

Retention Bonus explained

A retention bonus is a type of financial incentive offered by an employer to encourage an employee to remain with the company for a set period of time. The bonus may be paid in a lump sum or as an ongoing payment, and is typically awarded after the employee has completed a certain number of years with the company. The amount of the bonus is typically based on the employee's salary and position within the company.

The purpose of a retention bonus is to keep key employees from leaving the company during times of change or transition. This may include periods of downsizing, restructuring, or mergers and acquisitions. Retention bonuses can also be used to keep employees from leaving for a competitor.

Retention bonuses are typically offered to employees who have specific skills or knowledge that would be difficult to replace. For example, a company may offer a retention bonus to a key member of its research and development team. The company may also offer retention bonuses to employees who have been with the company for a long time and have acquired a deep knowledge of the company's products, processes, and culture.

Retention bonuses are typically offered in addition to the employee's regular salary and benefits. In some cases, the bonus may be paid out over time, typically in equal installments. For example, a company may offer a retention bonus of $5,000 to an employee, to be paid in equal installments over the course of five years.

The terms of a retention bonus may be outlined in an employment contract or in a letter of offer. The bonus may be paid in a lump sum or as an ongoing payment, and is typically awarded after the employee has completed a certain number of years with the company. The amount of the bonus is typically based on the employee's salary and position within the company.

Retention bonuses are typically offered to key employees who are essential to the company's success. For example, a company may offer a retention bonus to a key member of its research and development team. The company may also offer retention bonuses to employees who have been with the company for a long time and have acquired a deep knowledge of the company's products, processes, and culture.

Find and engage1 billion candidates

One search engine to find and reach talent across the entire web

1 billion profilesContact infoFreeFind candidates

Latest Articles

View All Articles

AI Profile Search: The Ultimate API Guide (2026)

The definitive guide to AI-powered profile search APIs for recruiting. Covers real-time data, semantic search, email verification, and the newest providers from 2024-2025 including Icypeas, LeadMagic, Exa, Pearch, and more.

Market InsightsWatch icon100 min read

Best Technology for People Profile Data Search (2026)

The definitive 2026 guide to people data search technology — covering 45+ platforms, AI-powered enrichment, intent data, compliance frameworks, and real-world sourcing tactics for recruiters, sales teams, and researchers.

Market InsightsWatch icon190 min read

Best Technology Stack for People Profile Data Search in 2026

A practical, insider-grade breakdown of the modern people data search stack—sources, enrichment, AI agents, market leaders, and what works in 2026.

Recruitment AutomationWatch icon20 min readThe best People Search API for the AI era

Fetch real-time profiles from 1B Profiles today.

1 billion reachData EnrichmentReal-time dataFind candidatesStart now

Tag » What Is A Retention Bonus