Google to pay bonuses to its top executives

Google Inc. will pay its top executives performance bonuses of as much as $4.5 million each this year.

The amount of the bonuses will be based on a formula tied to Google’s operating income, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company said. All executive officers are eligible for the bonus except Chief Executive Eric Schmidt and co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google said.

The bonus plan still requires shareholder approval at the company’s annual meeting.