But analysts cautioned that even this could be a costly process because of costs associated with severance, pension obligations and real estate.
If the Pfizer-Wyeth deal had gone into effect last year, Mr. Poussot would have been entitled to about $38 million in cash severance, pension, health benefits and other perquisites.
The sides have been wrestling with three major issues: severance, pension and a proposal to use D-League referees for a small number of N.B.A. games each season.
Fourth-quarter 2012 charges totaled $1.86 per share: $1.55 per share related to severance, pension and benefit charges primarily for the annual actuarial valuation of Verizon's benefit plans as well as the annuitization of various pension liabilities during the quarter, and 31 cents per share related to the early retirement of debt and other restructuring activities.
Instead, he agreed to leave before the merger was completed, after securing a €16.5 million severance and pension package, a record for a caja chief.
Blaming directors and managers for foiling his plans, he is threatening legal action, too, saying the company owes him about $100 million in severance and pension benefits.
French pay packages, he said, often include severance and pension agreements that are not apparent to investors until an executive leaves the company.
UnumProvident Corporation recorded a $246.4 million loss in the first quarter, driven largely by an increase in long-term reserves, investment losses and a severance and pension payout for its fired chief executive.
ABB, the Swiss-Swedish power and technology group plunged into red ink by huge charges for restructuring costs and asbestos liability exposure, said today that it wanted two former chief executives to give back some of their combined $138 million in severance and pension benefits.
U.S. Steel said the transaction would cost it about $95 million in pensions, severance and other employee expenses.
