SEC DEFENSE

Can the SEC Claw Back My Bonus?

April 1, 2026 1 minutes read By Todd Spodek, Esq.
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If you work as an executive at a public company and your employer has recovered a bonus you received, the SEC may have authority to mandate this action under Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Act and SEC Rule 10D-1.

What is a Bonus Clawback?

A clawback occurs when a company recovers compensation previously disbursed to an employee, typically when bonuses were paid based on subsequently inaccurate financial statements.

How Does the SEC’s Authority Work?

The authority operates on disgorgement principles, returning ill-gotten gains to rightful owners. The authority activates when a company restates financial statements. The SEC reviews whether bonuses were paid based on inaccurate statements and may require recovery.

How Does This Apply to You?

If you serve as an executive at a publicly traded company and your company restates financials, the SEC may investigate. You may defend against clawback by demonstrating you were unaware of inaccuracies or uninvolved in preparing incorrect statements.

Key Terms

  • Clawback Policy: A provision in employment agreements allowing recovery of compensation
  • Restatement: When a company revises financial statements to correct errors
  • Disgorgement: Returning ill-gotten gains to the rightful owner
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