MENLO PARK, Calif. — Meta Platforms has introduced a new stock option plan for top executives that could yield payouts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, tied to ambitious targets that would increase the company’s valuation to more than $9 trillion, according to regulatory filings released Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The move reflects the company’s push to retain key talent and accelerate growth amid intensifying competition in artificial intelligence.
The incentive plan marks the first time Meta has offered performance-based stock options of this scale to its senior leadership team. The awards are structured around aggressive stock price milestones, requiring substantial increases in Meta’s share price over the coming years.
To unlock the lowest tier of the options, Meta’s stock would need to rise at least 88.2% from its recent closing price of $592.92 to more than $1,116 per share. The highest tier requires a more than sixfold increase, with shares reaching approximately $3,727. If achieved, that would push Meta’s market value above $9 trillion—far exceeding current valuations of major technology firms, including Nvidia, which is currently the world’s most valuable company.
The targets must be met by Feb. 14, 2028, for the options to vest. If those benchmarks are not reached, the options will become available in installments through August 2030 and expire in March 2031 if left unexercised.
Notably, the plan does not include CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Instead, it applies to several top executives, including Chief Financial Officer Susan Li, Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, Chief Operating Officer Javier Olivan, President Dina Powell McCormick and Chief Legal Officer Curtis Mahoney.
In addition to stock options, most of these executives will receive increased restricted stock awards totaling approximately $170 million, which will vest quarterly. Chief Accounting Officer Aaron Anderson will receive only restricted stock under the plan.
Meta said the compensation packages are designed to align executive performance with long-term company growth. A company spokesperson described the initiative as a “big bet,” noting that the rewards will only materialize if Meta achieves significant future success that benefits shareholders.
The move comes as major technology companies ramp up investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, including data centers and advanced computing systems. Companies across the sector are increasingly using compensation incentives to attract and retain top talent, particularly in AI research and development.
Meta has already been offering large compensation packages to recruit leading AI researchers for its expanding superintelligence efforts. The new stock plan signals a broader shift in how Big Tech companies structure executive pay, linking it more directly to long-term strategic goals rather than short-term performance metrics.
The initiative also highlights a departure from traditional industry practices, as companies become more willing to take financial risks—including increased investment and potential debt—to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
As the race to dominate artificial intelligence intensifies, Meta’s aggressive valuation targets underscore the scale of its ambitions. Whether the company can achieve such growth remains uncertain, but the incentive plan clearly ties executive rewards to transformative success in the years ahead.