Iger, 60, who has run Disney since October 2005, saw his total compensation including pension benefits top $33.4 million in the 12 months to September 2011, when the company's financial year ended.

Disney, which generates some $40 billion in annual revenue, is grappling with global economic uncertainty and its impact on its three largest divisions: media, its movie studio and theme park resorts. Its various brands include Disney, ABC and ESPN among others.

Iger will take on the additional title of chairman in March at Disney's annual shareholder meeting. He is expected to step down as CEO in March 2015.

While the company has not mentioned possible successors, industry speculation has centered on Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo and the head of Disney's huge theme parks and resorts division Tom Staggs.

Rasulo was paid a total of $11.1 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of just over 5 percent from the year before.

(Reporting By Yinka Adegoke; editing by Andre Grenon)

• A Permanent Economic Emergency