<prompt> Human: I recently started a new job through an acquisition of my last employer by a large company. Ive been given a signing bonus of many tens of thousands of dollars, which is great, but there are long term rules for it.1. If I leave within the first year it all has to be returned2. After the first year if I leave the remaining balance has to be returned amortized over time to the month over my 3 year contract. ex. If I leave at 1 year I get a third of the total bonus, if I leave at 1.5 yrs half, 2 years two thirds, etc.I want to put the money aside so I wont end up in a position where I have to return it after its been spent. My question is what to do with it to get the greatest return with the lowest penalty for taking it out if I leave the company early? Savings account seems like a bad idea because the drastically low interest rates, otherwise id just park it in there. Any input is much appreciated, thanks.  <response>: My answer would depend on your liquid net worth outside of this money. If you could afford to top it up by 20 to pay it back if you had to leave when the stock market was down, then Id go for a stock index fund. If you cant, then savings account or CD, at least until a year has passed, at which point the risk of being upside down on it drops drastically. 