One-dollar salary

"Dollar-a-year man" redirects here. For the 1921 film, see The Dollar-a-Year Man.

Several top executives in large businesses receive a salary of one United States dollar. In place of a salary, the executives receive stock options.[1][2] In the United States, this approach impacts personal tax liability because although stock and option grants are taxed at federal income rates, they are exempt from payroll taxes (typically around 15%) used to fund Social Security and Medicare.

Executives argue that remuneration through stock instead of salary ties management performance to their financial benefits.[1] The assumption is that stock prices will reflect the actual value of a company, which reflect the management performance of the company. Detractors argue that this incentive may drive short-term planning over long-term planning.

Dollar-a-year men

The "Dollar-a-year men" were business executives who helped the government manage the US national economy during periods of war, especially during World War I. US law forbids the government from accepting free services from anyone. Therefore, individuals who are effectively volunteering their services have to be paid a nominal salary. Typically these individuals are paid one dollar a year for their work. For example, Massachusetts Governor Alvan T. Fuller, wealthy in his own right, served in several government positions on such terms.[3]

In Canada during World War II, C.D. Howe, Canada's "Minister of Everything", created a rearmament program using "dollar-a-year men".[4] An example was John Wilson McConnell, the owner and publisher of the Montreal Star, who was appointed Director of Licences for the Wartime Trade Board, a position for which he served for free.[5]

Single-digit salary earners

The following people have been listed as having single-digit salaries:

Validity

While many executives who take a one dollar salary also choose to take no other forms of compensation, a number earn millions more in bonuses and other forms of compensation. For example, in 2010/11 Oracle Founder and CEO Larry Ellison made only $1 in salary, however earned over $77 million in other forms of compensation[15].

References

  1. ^ a b Herbst, Moira (10 May 2007). "The Elite Circle of $1 CEOs". BusinessWeek. http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/may2007/db20070509_992600.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  2. ^ Mayerowitz, Scott (3 December 2008). "The Other Side of the $1 Salary". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6378775&page=1. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  3. ^ New York Times: "Fuller Explains Refusal of Salary, September 20, 1926, accessed July 24, 2010
  4. ^ Art Bailey. "Clarence Decatur Howe". Canada's Digital Collections. http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume5/218-221.htm. 
  5. ^ Mel James. "John Wilson McConnell". Canada's Digital Collections. http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume6/318-319.htm. 
  6. ^ [1] Apple's 2012 Proxy
  7. ^ [2] Apple's 2009 Proxy
  8. ^ [3] Apple's 2007 Proxy
  9. ^ 10-Q Watch: Yahoo’s Acquisitions; Yang Salary | paidContent.org
  10. ^ a b c Google SEC Filing 2006
  11. ^ Compensation for Henry Samueli, BROADCOM, Chairman of the Board of Directors (effective May 21 2003
  12. ^ a b Marvell Tech's CEO, Acting COO Take Salary Cut, Each To Be Paid $1, January 16, 2008.
  13. ^ "Whole Foods - a retail phenomenon", BBC News, June 6, 2007.
  14. ^ HP CEO Meg Whitman's salary: $1 at CNN Money
  15. ^ http://money.msn.com/investing/the-myth-of-the-1-dollar-ceo-brush.aspx

Further reading