My company has a "key employee" program that permits salary deferral. If the rates become intolerable, I can do the equivalent of sitting on my hands by having a significant part of my salary deferred. There is a risk. If the company becomes insolvent, I may never get that money. The alternative is to take it and lose 70% to taxes. I'm risking losing 100% versus 70%. If the approach works, the deferred salary could be drawn at a future time when my annual income is lower or nil e.g. retirement. Likely a lower tax bracket at that time.