You should care when it's paid out because it ISNT A BONUS. ITS A STIPEND WITH CONDITONS. if it's over three years that's just your stipend. It won't continue on past three years which means you go back to your CRAPPPPPPY pay and by the way, if you do get paid 50 grand, the governments going to take at least half of that right off the bat and put you in a higher pay category for taxes.