Fred Hassan - 2009 CEO Pay

Fred Hassan - Schering-Plough

Total Compensation: $49.65 million

Details: Fred Hassan leap-frogged to the top of our list thanks to a $33 million change-in-control bonus the exec got following Merck's $41.1 billion purchase of Shering-Plough.

Hassan's salary totaled just $1.4 million and he received no bonus, but his stock and options came in at almost $14.5 million. Non-equity incentive plan compensation included an additional $6.6 million.

The remainder of Hassan's payment was made up of tax services ($7,500), use of company aircraft ($132,104), commuting ($1,066), personal security ($169,456), termination expenses, a company-matched savings plan ($242,735) and life insurance ($88,318). His $33 million golden handshake included almost $18 million in severance and $11.7 million in 280G excise tax gross-up, among other payments.