On June 26, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) will host a roundtable to explore potential changes to executive compensation disclosure requirements. This event, highlighted in the SEC’s official announcement and accompanying statement, will bring together public company representatives, investors and other experts to answer questions and discuss potential changes to such requirements. The event is open to the public, who are encouraged to attend to provide comments and ask questions either before or after the meeting.
Executive compensation disclosure has long been a focal point for both regulators and market participants. The SEC’s rules require public companies to provide detailed information about how executives are paid, with the goal of promoting transparency and enabling investors to make informed decisions. However, over time, these requirements have grown increasingly complex, reflecting heightened investor scrutiny. Yet, it is unclear whether this increased complexity has actually provided investors with information useful in making voting and investment decisions. As regulatory requirements have become more burdensome, concerns have been voiced regarding the associated compliance burdens. In connection with the change in administration, a number of trade associations and industry groups in their letters to the SEC regarding regulatory burdens and capital formation have expressed some frustration with the costs and complexities associated with preparing detailed compensation disclosures, urging the SEC to address executive compensation disclosure requirements. In preparation for the Roundtable, Chair Atkins posed several questions for SEC staff and Roundtable participants to consider, including questions regarding the effectiveness of current disclosure requirements, the regulatory burden and compliance costs, investor needs and the clarity of disclosures.
To share comments or pose questions, members of the public may use the SEC’s Internet submission form or send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov with “4-855” included in the subject line.