In the late 1990s and early 2000s, many of the pension and benefit programs available to Board Members of public companies were eliminated. But the demands and risks of board membership have intensified, and compensation levels have increased.
Today’s board members receive compensation in the form of equity awards (often as restricted stock units), cash retainers, and meeting fees. Each of these elements can be tax-deferred and serve as the fuel to fund a retirement program.