During the most recent 12 months, the average total compensation of the highest paid executives in U.S. publicly traded companies decreased by 4 percent, according to ERI Economic Research Institute. This continued the decrease in total compensation during 2008, first evidenced in ERI’s August study of executive compensation. While overall total compensation decreased, three components of pay reported increases: non-equity- based incentives (up 17.8 percent), restricted stock awards (up 24.5 percent), and pensions (up 45.5 percent). But the Institute cautions that the ultimate value of the restricted stock awards and stock options may be affected by the most recent drop in share prices.
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