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Lewis Due a Mere $53M From BofA Pension Plan

But President Obama's pay czar could yet step in on that, millions in stock

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2009 8:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – An executive pension plan Bank of America stopped in 2001—along with “golden parachute” balloon payments to execs leaving the company—will yield about $53 million for departing CEO Ken Lewis. Lewis, 62, participated for years in the plan, which was frozen the year he ascended to the top job. Anyone who bought BofA stock that year, Fortune notes, would currently be underwater on their investment.

And though Lewis’ plan Lewis pre-dates the federal bailout, President Obama’s pay czar could yet take a look at the arrangement—to which Lewis could add more than $70 million in stock and other compensation. “Does the pay czar have the ability to overturn a contract? The answer is no, I would guess,” one analyst tells Reuters. “If it ever gets litigated, it will be interesting to see what a pay czar can do.”

Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis, center, is surrounded by reporters as he arrives at the New York Attorney General's office Feb. 26, 2009.
Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis, center, is surrounded by reporters as he arrives at the New York Attorney General's office Feb. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Robert_Dada
Oct 2, 2009 11:36 AM CDT
Though you can't get back at him specifically, I've said this before: withdraw all your funds and investments from these large banks and redeposit and reinvest with smaller banks and investment boutiques. Yes, your actions will make those firms larger too but there are 1000's of them in this country alone. By spreading our business among these many smaller firms, they will become larger and more profitable but never near as large as these big banks that couldn't fail. Plus you're likely to get better customer service and better rates on products too. YOU have the power.
oldgoat
Oct 2, 2009 8:18 AM CDT
The execs have always had their pension safe. I always believed that their pension ought to be in with the employees instead. You could be sure then that the money would be there.
coco-jin
Oct 2, 2009 3:39 AM CDT
I say, "gilded." You say, "age." Gilded Age. Gilded Age.

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