Answer: Merit pay becomes part of an employee's base pay, but a bonus does not.
Step-by-step explanation:
A merit is an increase in the salary of an employee due to the employee's performance, dedication and hardwork towards his or her job and it is becomes part of the base pay of the employee.
A bonus is a financial compensation that is given to a worker. It should be noted that the bonus is usually a one time payment and doesn't become part of a worker's pay.