A golden handshake is a large sum of money that a company gives to an employee when he or she leaves, as a reward for long service or good work.
[business]
golden handshake in British English
noun
informal
a sum of money, usually large, given to an employee, either on retirement in recognition of long or excellent service or as compensation for loss of employment
golden handshake in American English
Informal
payment offered to induce an employee to retire early
Examples of 'golden handshake' in a sentence
golden handshake
This golden handshake was separate from the salary that they had been paid while soldiering.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Nearly all were entitled to a quarter of their generous ministerial salary as a golden handshake.
The Sun (2010)
His golden handshake means he can afford to bide his time.