The salary, bonuses, and stock options of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson was tragically shot dead in Manhattan yesterday and his untimely death has shocked the business world and risen questions over security mechanisms for such corporate heads. The case of murder is still under investigation, and the authorities are suspecting that this was a targeted attack.
Thompson, who was fatally shot outside a hotel in New York , managed a portfolio that generated $74 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter. His annual compensation package which consists of salary, bonus and stock options award totalled to $10.2 million, which makes him among the most highly paid company's executives.
According to reports, his base salary was set at $1 million. However, his total compensation package soared due to significant equity components and additional earnings, amounting to over $20 million in early 2024. These earnings were derived from stock awards and option awards, which are typically tied to company performance and stock market value. In addition to these stock-based earnings, he received a substantial non-equity incentive, further boosting his annual income. This comprehensive remuneration reflects the competitive compensation practices for high-level executives, rewarding not only their base pay but also their contributions to the company's success through various financial incentives.
Brian Thompson began his work with UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Brian began employed as a certified public accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Then, he went up the corporate ladder and was eventually made the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in 2021. His leadership helped the company to expand and offer coverage to more than 49 million Americans, as it remains the biggest Medicare Advantage plan provider in the US.
UnitedHealthcare is a health insurance and services company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest health insurers in the United States, offering a broad range of health benefit plans to individuals, families, employers, and Medicare receivers. It was founded in 1977 as United HealthCare Corporation, the company initially focused on creating network-based health plans for seniors, later it reorganised into several companies to meet the needs of various demographics