American International Group Inc. has outlined a plan aimed at attracting and retaining executives as it works to repay the government, which owns about 80% of the company.
AIG will pay top executives with what the company calls "long-term performance units"–a mix of AIG hybrid securities, or debt, and common stock, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"AIG is committed to compensation practices that allow the company to attract and retain capable and experienced professionals and motivate them to achieve strong business results in both the short- and long-term," Mark Herr, an AIG spokesman, said in an e-mail. "The LTPU grants allow us to achieve these goals."
The combination of basing part of executive compensation on about 80% debt and 20% common stock is "designed to serve as a proxy for AIG's long-term value," the company said.
AIG stock was selling at $35.59 a share at midday on June 25. Shares have been as high as $55.90 and as low as $8.22 over the last year.
The plan was previously approved by Treasury pay czar Kenneth Feinberg, who is leaving the post after taking a new role as overseer of a compensation fund for the BP oil spill, AIG said.
