Intel Freezes Salaries for Top Executives

Chip giant Intel(INTC Quote) is looking to revamp its compensation plan as the tech bellwether attempts to control its costs and weather the economic storm.

The plan, which must be approved by shareholders, includes a freeze on the company's top salaries and an exchange of "underwater" stock options.

Intel revealed its strategy in a regulatory filing Monday, outlining its plan to compensate employees for plummeting stock options. The chipmaker's employees, with the exception of its top executives, would be given the opportunity to exchange underwater stock options for new options.

"Intel employees (but not our listed officers) would be given the opportunity to exchange stock options with an exercise price above our 52-week high for a lesser number of new stock options that have approximately the same fair value as the options surrendered," the company said, in its filing.

The company's move is a sign of the times, and it reflects Intel's desire to mitigate the worst effects of the economic slump. "New stock options received under the program will provide added incentive to motivate and retain talented employees," it said.

Intel, which is embroiled in a breach of contract disputewith fellow chipmaker AMD(AMD Quote), has certainly felt the effects of the economic slowdown.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based firm is already sitting on a mountain of aging PC chips thanks to slumping computer sales and the rise of cheap netbooks. Intel is also under pressure to find a new market hungry for more lucrative advanced chips.