Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-03-31
Form Type: PRE 14A
Source: 0000092122-25-000032
Chunk: 41

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-03-31
Form: PRE 14A
Chunk 41
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-term strategy of our business and value creation for stockholders.

4 We reviewed and approved the performance goals for the CEO for 2024 and engaged in ongoing performance assessment dialogue throughout the year.

4 Utilizing an independent third party, we facilitated the performance review of the CEO with the independent Directors.

#### Compensation Plan Alignment
4 We assessed our incentive plan design’s effectiveness at striking the right balance between short- and long-term results and alignment with business strategy, key financial objectives and stockholder interests.

4 Our Committee continued active engagement in assessing goal rigor and incorporating outcome-based measures that should create stockholder value on a risk-adjusted basis.

#### Human Capital
4 We received regular updates on human capital matters and workforce risks, including employee engagement survey feedback, well-being initiatives and leadership development programs from the management team.

4 Our Committee discussed senior leadership talent and received updates on the overall company-wide talent management process throughout the year and facilitated regular Board engagement with high potential employees.

#### Report of the Compensation Committee
We met with management to review and discuss the CD&A. Based on that review and discussion, we recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this proxy statement.

| Lizanne Thomas |     | David J. Grain |     | Donald M. James |     | Dale E. Klein |

#### 42Southern Company2025 Proxy Statement

#### CEO Pay for Performance Alignment
2024 CEO Pay Decisions Demonstrate Alignment with Company Performance and Stockholder Interests

| CEO 2024 Target Pay |     |                                                                                                                                                            |
|                     |     | In making 2024 pay decisions for our CEO, the Committee continued to demonstrate alignment between CEO pay and Company performance based on three factors: 
 4Placing the overwhelming majority of the CEO’s total compensation at risk based on the achievement of Committee-approved goals                            
 4Selecting metrics and targets to align pay with long-term value creation for stockholders                                                                 
 4Actively reviewing performance to appropriately align payouts in a manner consistent with stockholder interests and stockholder feedback                  |

We continue to create significant long-term stockholder returns through stock price appreciation and dividends paid to our stockholders. The majority of CEO incentive compensation was tied to stockholder value created from 2022 to 2024 relative to our industry peers and the Company’s strong adjusted financial results.

4 Since 2018, we have consistently performed in the top quartile of our TSR peer group for each three-year performance period and significantly above the median TSR for the peer group.

4 We have continued to deliver strong