Apple has released its executive compensation metrics today ahead of its annual shareholder meeting. The biggest surprise is Apple's CEO Tim Cook only received a mere $4.17 million for his services in 2012.

To most $4.17 million seems like a lot, but when you compare it to his compensation the previous two years, $378 million in 2011, and $58 million in 2010, it looks rather small.

The major difference in compensation is stock options, which cook received in 2010 and 2011. $52 million in 2010 and $376 million in 2011 with no stock options being received in 2012. Most of those stock options are set to vest in 2014, 2016, and 2021 netting Cook a cool $750 million at today's market value. I think it is safe to say that he is not disappointed in his financial statement for 2012.