Oracle's Larry Ellison

Oracle's Larry Ellison

Perk: $1.53 million for home security

Given Oracle (ORCL) founder Larry Ellison's huge wealth, it's a wonder he continues to collect such outsized pay and perks. Ellison's 1.1 billion shares are worth more than $35 billion, yet for 2009-2011 he got between $70.1 million and $96.1 million a year in pay. Ellison has used his wealth to buy a Hawaiian island, exotic cars and planes, and a huge yacht with a basketball court.

Compared with all that loot, Ellison's perks, as big as they are, look like chump change. His biggest perk: $1.5 million in home security services last year, which is more than what most CEOs get as their base pay. 

The excessive pay and perks helped earn Oracle a grade of "D" from the Corporate Library for its corporate governance, and a "very high concern" rating for pay. Shareholders gave Ellison's pay package a thumbs-down this year; only 41 per cent of those voting approved.

Oracle says in filings that Ellison's pay is set independently by the board, and that Ellison paid for the security system guarding his home. But the company pays the security workers because of Ellison's importance to the company.

Ellison, who founded Oracle in 1977, has joined the Giving Pledge (read about it here) and agreed to give away most of his wealth.

* Bing: Oracle shareholders dislike pay package