The Advisors' Blog

FW Cook has just released a very detailed report on executive perks reported by S&P 100 companies for 2021 to 2024. Not surprisingly, the most common perks are personal use of corporate aircraft and security services — and data on those two perks dominates the report as well.

Aircraft: The prevalence of personal use of the corporate aircraft has slightly increased in the past three years. Roughly two-thirds of the S&P 100 companies that provide corporate aircraft also require their CEO to use it for all personal travel.

The median reported value for personal use of aircraft increased from $129K in 2021 to $210K in 2024. About 20% of the companies with an aircraft perquisite disclosed an annual limit on personal travel, typically defined as a maximum dollar value rather than a maximum number of flight hours, with a median limit of $250K per year.

Security: The prevalence of personal and residential security perquisite increased from 38% in 2021 to 59% in 2024. The median reported value for personal and/or residential security increased from $75K in 2021 to $111K in 2024.

While median spending on executive security benefits grew modestly from 2021 to 2024, the cost of these benefits increased significantly at the 75th percentile, climbing from $348K in 2021 to $784K in 2024. The wide variation in spending often depends on the level of protection provided. Lower costs typically cover only residential security systems, while the highest costs include comprehensive protection including secure transportation, armed drivers, and personal security details.

The report also delves into company-provided vehicles or personal drivers, charitable gifts, club memberships, executive physicals, financial planning or tax prep services, perk allowances, life insurance and long-term disability.

Perks are on the agenda of multiple panels at our “Proxy Disclosure and 22nd Annual Executive Compensation Conferences” that start tomorrow! There’s still time to register to attend — including to “attend” from the comfort of your home or office. Just email us at info@ccrcorp.com, call us at 800-737-1271, or visit our online store.

If you’re attending in person, we’ll see you beginning at 4 pm Pacific today in the Primrose Hallway at The Virgin Hotels for a casual evening reception celebrating CCRcorp’s 50th anniversary.

– Meredith Ervine