One-dollar salary

One-dollar salary

Several top executives in large businesses receive a salary of one dollar. In place of a salary, the executives receive stock options.[1][2] The first executive to receive $1 in salary was Lee Iacocca as chairman of Chrysler in 1978, as part of a move in cost-cutting. 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.

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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:

Further reading

References



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