[51] Executive Board and Supervisory Board compensation Audited

The compensation of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA is largely paid by the general partner, E. Merck KG, and recorded as an expense in its income statement. For January to December 2010, fixed salaries of EUR 3.5 million (2009: EUR 3.5 million) and variable compensation of EUR 6.2 million (2009: EUR 3.7 million) were recorded for members of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA. Furthermore, additions to pension provisions of E. Merck KG include current service costs of EUR 2.1 million (2009: EUR 1.6 million) for members of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA.

Subject to the approval of the Annual General Meeting on the proposed distribution of a dividend of EUR 1.25 per share, the compensation of the Supervisory Board amounting to EUR 528 thousand (2009: EUR 435 thousand) consists of a fixed portion of EUR 123 thousand (2009: EUR 123 thousand) and a variable portion of EUR 405 thousand (2009: EUR 312 thousand).

Further details can be found in the Compensation Report.