SEC Announces Roundtable Discussion on Executive Pay Disclosures

On June 26, 2025, the SEC will host a roundtable discussion on executive pay disclosures with representatives from public companies and investors, as well as other experts in this field.

In conjunction with the roundtable, members of the public may submit comments on executive pay disclosure requirements to the SEC no later than June 26, 2025.¹

The outcome of the roundtable could lead to a once-in-a-generation simplification of pay disclosure requirements.

On May 16, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it will host a roundtable discussion on executive pay disclosures which will be live streamed and recorded. The roundtable discussion is open to the public. Information regarding the roundtable’s agenda and speakers will be posted before the event.

The impetus of the roundtable discussion is SEC Chair Paul Atkins’ stated concern about the appropriateness of the current regulatory regime. Chair Atkins noted the following in the roundtable announcement:

“ … disclosure requirements have been expanded to focus more and more on variations of components of compensation, rather than on total compensation. While it is undisputed that these requirements, and the resulting disclosure, have become increasingly complex and lengthy, it is less clear if the increased complexity and length have provided investors with additional information that is material to their investment and voting decisions.”

Chair Atkins further noted that “It is important for the Commission to engage in retrospective reviews of its rules to ensure that they continue to be cost-effective and result in disclosure of material information without an overload of immaterial information.”

In the development of the roundtable agenda, Chair Atkins asked the SEC staff to consider a series of questions which are appended to this Client Update.

The public may submit comments either electronically or via USPS according to the following instructions:

• Electronic Comments: Use the SEC’s Internet submission form or send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov with “File Number 4-855” included in the subject line.

• Paper Comments: Send paper comments to Vanessa Countryman, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1090.

All comments received will be posted without change.

Meridian intends to submit a comment letter to the SEC on this matter and we urge all interested parties to do so.

Given the Trump administration’s stated goal of regulatory simplification, we believe the SEC’s announcement presents a unique and unparalleled opportunity to ease the current regulatory burden associated with executive pay disclosures.

¹ See SEC Announces Roundtable on Executive Compensation Disclosure Requirements, SEC Press Release 2025-73, May 16, 2025, available at: https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-73

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The Client Update is prepared by Meridian Compensation Partners’ Governance and Regulatory Team led by Donald Kalfen. Questions regarding this Client Update or executive compensation technical issues may be directed to Donald Kalfen at 847-235-3605 or dkalfen@meridiancp.com.

This report is a publication of Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, which provides general information for reference purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or accounting advice or a legal or accounting opinion on any specific fact or circumstances. The information provided herein should be reviewed with appropriate advisors concerning your own situation and issues.