Updated
Updated · Deadline · Sep 2
Apple Sets $58 Million Pay for CEO John Ternus as Tim Cook Takes $45 Million Chair Award
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Sep 2

Apple Sets $58 Million Pay for CEO John Ternus as Tim Cook Takes $45 Million Chair Award

3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Sep 2

Summary

  • $58 million is Apple’s disclosed compensation package for new CEO John Ternus, who formally succeeded Tim Cook on Tuesday, combining a $3 million annual salary with $55 million in fiscal-2027 equity grants.
  • 75% of Ternus’ equity will be performance-based RSUs tied to Apple’s total shareholder return versus S&P 500 peers, while the remaining 25% will vest over four years; he also received a prorated $2.5 million RSU award for fiscal 2026.
  • Cook’s new executive chairman contract sets a $2 million annual salary effective Sept. 26 and a fiscal-2027 equity award with a target value of $45 million, according to Apple’s SEC filing.
  • April’s succession plan made Ternus—Apple’s hardware chief and a 25-year company veteran—Cook’s chosen successor after 15 years as CEO, with Ternus set to address employees and fans at Apple’s Sept. 9 'Surprise and Shine' event.

Insights

Tim Cook grew Apple to $4.7 trillion, but will his looming presence as executive chairman overshadow the new CEO's strategic autonomy?
As Apple pivots toward smart glasses, what hidden product surprises will John Ternus unveil to justify his massive compensation package?
With Apple's mixed-reality roadmap delayed and AI competition fierce, can a hardware veteran truly navigate the software-driven future?