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Bonus season promises to be richer for City workers this year after British and US banks scrapped EU-imposed bonus caps – but how will yours measure up?

With M&A activity on the rise, some UK-based bankers and lawyers are tight-lipped about their salaries and bonus opportunities this year and beyond. However, increased payout ratios can come at the cost of lower payouts, concentrating rewards in the hands of top traders.

For the fourth year in a row, the Financial Times is asking readers to share their secret bonus round. How they notice changes in payment policies and how they plan to invest, save or spend any money they’ve been given.

FT 2025 bonus survey

Our survey can be completed anonymously in less than five minutes. Click here. or visit FT.com/Bonus survey

This year’s result is expected to be the first year that the bonus cap changes will be fully reflected in the pay packages of top earners. Despite capital being phased out in 2023, UK-based banks have taken time to review and fully implement their remuneration policies, revealing a mixed landscape.

While London-based European banks have to cover bonus payments at twice base salary, Barclays and JPMorgan have decided to reward material risk takers. Up to 10 times For their fixed pay, Goldman Sachs chose to cut base pay, but increase the bonus ratio to 25 times.

The legal profession is expected to be another big winner this bonus season as the entry of large US law firms in the capital disrupts the market and adds fuel. Pay for talent battles.

Readers can tell us anonymously how any changes will affect their personal salary prospects and change the competitive dynamics in the wider recruitment market.

The survey gives readers a chance to say how their first employee budget has affected their financial planning. Paying VAT on school fees How it was presented Inheritance tax changes Making retirement savings less attractive.

Last year The FT Bonus Survey found that many well-paid professionals were being squeezed by low fees and high interest rates.

A poll of nearly 3,000 FT readers said 58 per cent said their bonus had fallen or been canceled compared to last year, and there was a big jump (64 per cent) in the number of people who said they were planning to reduce their mortgage to use their bonus. Debts. However, about half of respondents plan to spend any bonus payments tax-efficiently.

Changes to the bank’s bonus cap were under way at the time of last year’s poll, but four out of five FT readers said they would prefer safety over prestige, favoring higher wages and fixed bonuses as opposed to lower wages and lower wages. Unlimited bonus.

The anonymous poll results will be collated and published in the coming weeks. Please make sure your reply is in by the deadline of Monday 10th February, and direct any questions to our usual email address. money@ft.com.