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AcademyGlossaryGolden Parachute

Golden Parachute

A Golden Parachute is a financial agreement or contract given to top executives or key employees of a company, which provides them with significant benefits if they are terminated, especially in the event of a merger or acquisition. These benefits can include substantial severance pay, stock options, bonuses, and other financial rewards. The primary purpose of a Golden Parachute is to protect executives from the financial fallout of losing their job due to circumstances beyond their control, such as a company takeover. This arrangement can also serve as a deterrent to hostile takeovers by making it more expensive for an acquiring company to terminate existing executives.

What is a Golden Parachute?

A Golden Parachute is a contractual agreement that provides top executives with significant financial benefits if they are terminated, particularly in the event of a merger or acquisition.

How Does It Work?

Golden Parachutes typically include severance pay, stock options, bonuses, and other financial rewards. The agreement is designed to protect executives from financial loss due to job termination and can also act as a deterrent to hostile takeovers by increasing the cost of terminating existing executives.

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