Report: AIG Asks Govt to Approve Bonuses

American International Group is reportedly asking the federal government to OK the insurer's plan to resume paying millions in promised retention incentives next week.

The Washington Post says AIG, which ignited a firestorm of criticism earlier this year with its bonus payments, has asked the administration's compensation czar to approve the payments in advance to head off any public outrage.

While the company isn't required to get the government's blessing because the payments are actually for 2008 employment contracts, the newspaper said executives are reluctant to move without official approval.

Compensation czar Kenneth Feinberg has the power to reject pay plans he deems excessive at companies which benefited from large infusions of the government's $700 billion bank bailout.