You know why execs get paid in stock options? They are completely tax free until you sell the stock. Execs can borrow against them, use them as collateral, and pay them back with no tax burden until they actually sell the stock. If the stock appreciates enough, it not only covers the debt, but the tax when they are sold.
Yes, you guessed it. That is why AIG only cares about the stock price and stock buy backs versus taking care of their employees. Because it is how the execs make their fortune. To be fair, it is not just AIG execs that do this. Aig execs are just some of the most egregious offenders.
Let's say, oh, I don't know, the CEO at AIG makes $22,000,000 a year, but he only takes a salary of $1,400,000. He gets taxed on only the $1,400,000 unless he sells some stock. Pretty great system if you are part of the club.